Fair weather for Oak River Fair
- Details
- Published on Thursday, July 21, 2016
By Sheila Runions
Banner Staff
Inclement weather has been very common in the district this past month, specifically in the Oak River district which had some hail the end of June, more than 4.5 inches of rain in a span of eight days in early July and another seven-tenths of rain on July 19. But Monday, July 18 was a beautiful day — hot, full sun, no hint of moisture. Director Gord Paddock expresses fortune because, “It’s been years since our fair has been rained out; we have been really lucky with the weather.”
While secretary-treasurer Ashley Black says, “The pet show and grain scramble were very poorly attended, I think the kids must be away; but we had more livestock than last year,” director Ivy Heapy feels, “It was a tremendous day, a really good fair.”
It technically started on Sunday, July 17 with a fun time for ponies and horses, which warmed them up for MGRA competition at 4 p.m. Most of those animals stayed on the grounds overnight so they could complete in classes the next day. When all was said and done, these were named winners: champion light horse, Beyond An Impulse, shown by Lisa Moore, Wawanesa; champion pony, Lil Buddy Holly, shown by Abigail Halloran, Boissevain; champion miniature, Noblebrook CNR Sailor, shown by Rod Hart, Carman; Western pleasure sweepstake, Kayleigh Chapman of Virden on Fame Will Be Scotch; open pleasure driving stake, Rod Hart driving Noblebrook CNR Sailor.
Several cattle breeds were represented with the following as breed winners and overall champions: bulls, HTA Charolais, Rivers, Diamond T Limousin, Kenton, Cody Carson, Rossburn (Simmental), Wyatt Inglis, Rapid City (Shorthorn), NYK Cattle Company, Douglas (Angus), overall champion bull, NYK; females, Cody Carson, Wyatt Inglis, Sunblade Charolais, Foxwarren, Airey Cattle Company, Oak River (Angus), NYK Cattle Company (Limousin), overall champion female, Airey Cattle Company; Brian Burt of Oak River won the people's choice judging and $86 for selecting Dana Johns of Kenton commercial cow/calf pair.
On the domestic side there were four points of praise given in baking, two to Georgina Black and one each to sisters-in-law Shelley and Wendi Burt. Although these women are all hometown products, exhibitors from Souris, Hamiota, Rivers, Oak Lake, Griswold, Kenton, Cardale, Gimli and Killarney entered classes.
A new feature in this year’s horticulture area was a guessing game. Director Raeleen Vassart brought a unique plant which people were asked to identify; of all entries received only one had the correct answer. Jean Ryall, once reminded by her husband Tom as to the name, went home with a book from The Green Spot, Ultimate Guide to Cold Climate Gardening, for guessing the yellow-flowered potted mystery as a peanut plant. Thirteen different fruits and vegetables were entered ranging from one (carrots) to seven (raspberries) entries per class. There were also four sheaves, each of a different variety, so all of them one first place by default.
Besides exhibits which were opened for public viewing at 1 p.m., there were children’s face painting, bean bag toss, fishing and a nine-question scavenger hunt. Bingo was conducted in the afternoon and there was a four-team ball tournament; two men’s hardball teams and two women’s fastball teams each played two games against each other.
The seventh annual pony plop made Allan and Lois Hyndman of Cardale $840 richer when their one-in-255 squares was so decorated. Receiving an equal amount of cash as event co-ordinator is Oak River Community Association, which maintains Oak River Memorial Rink, the site of the domestic exhibits, two canteens, bingo and children’s games. The rink is also used for breakfast and supper, both great ways to start and end your day; these meals were enjoyed by approximately 250 and 125 people respectively.
