Acton Fall Fair
The Acton Fall Fair is an annual event that happens in the third weekend of September at Prospect Park in Acton, Ontario, Canada. The Acton Fall Fair is run by the Acton Agricultural Society who plans different events and themes for the Fair every year.[1] The theme for the 2018 Acton Fall fair is popcorn. The Acton Fall Fair's main attractions include the midway games and rides, the Miss Acton Pageant, the petting zoo, craft show, and a wide variety of food vendors.[2] The Acton Agricultural Society began organizing and supporting the Acton Fall Fair in the fall of 1913, but Acton had been guest hosting fall fair's from surrounding counties since 1846.The Miss Acton Pageant was first introduced at the fair's 50th anniversary in 1963 and 54 winners have been crowned since.[3] The Acton Fall Fair opens at 5:30pm on the Friday and closes at 5:00pm on the Sunday evening. On Friday afternoon, starting at 10:00am, Education Day takes place. Children from elementary schools in Acton get full access to the fair grounds and petting zoo for educational activities, games, and lunch before it opens to the public at night. There is also a beer tent that opens Friday night where adults can listen to live music.[4] Last year the popular local band "The Practically Hip", (The Tragically Hip cover band) played on Saturday night.
History[edit]
In 1913, the Acton Agricultural Society decided they wanted to begin hosting their own fair separate from neighbouring counties. Acton, Georgetown, and other small communities within a close radius would rotate hosting duties before 1912. It was then decided that the fair would permanently be held in Georgetown, Ontario. However, the following spring, there was a high demand for Acton's own fall fair. Committee members canvassed the town for donations to fund the new project. The Acton Free Press newspaper reported that "they had been successful beyond the most sanguine expectations of the supporters of the project. Not only this, but the support had been so liberal that a most attractive prize list was assured."[5] In 1913, the Acton Fall Fair received its first government grant at a value of $300. In 1963, the Acton Fall Fair celebrated its 50th anniversary and introduced the Miss Acton Pageant. The Acton Fall Fair has persevered through a variety challenges such as the depression, war time, and poor weather.[3]
Miss Acton Pageant[edit]
The pageant is held on Friday, the opening night of the fair. The winner of Miss Acton and the two runner ups walk around the fairgrounds Saturday and Sunday in their red capes and tiaras. Miss Acton is responsible for participating in town events and representing Acton throughout the year. The format of the pageant consists of a two-minute speech on a topic of the participants choice, a private interview with the judges, and an onstage appearance showing their two outfits of choice. The contestants are to demonstrate a business casual outfit, and a formal outfit. The finalists are asked an random question which they have to answer in front of the judges and the audience. Winners are chosen based on confidence, attitude, and poise. The Acton Agricultural Society states that running for Miss Acton is "an opportunity to represent Acton and the Acton Agricultural Society, to meet new people and learn about the town and yourself".[6]
Attractions[edit]
There are many attractions outside of the main midway at the Acton Fall Fair. Acton is a small farm town and attractions such as horse pulling, tractor pulling, and livestock shows are staples every year. The horse pulling competition is where horses in harnesses pull weighted sleds in order to demonstrate their strength.[7] The horse who can pull the most amount of weight in an allotted distance wins. The tractor pulling attraction is similar in concept to the horse pulling, however it is modified tractors pulling the weighted sleds rather than the horses.[8] The livestock shows are events where the dairy cattle, beef cattle, and chickens are displayed and judged based on the quality of certain physical attributes. Muscle, structural correctness, and frame size are often the most important attributes when being judged in the livestock shows.[9] The petting zoo at the Acton Fall Fair is separate from the livestock show. It houses dozens of different animals in a large tent where attendees can feed the animals and pet them. Animals you might see at the Acton Fall Fair petting zoo include pigs, horses, goats, rabbits, lamas, donkeys, and cows.
References[edit]
- ↑ "Acton Fall Fair – "The Best Little Fair In Ontario"". actonfair.ca.
- ↑ "Events – Acton Fall Fair". actonfair.ca.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "History – Acton Fall Fair". actonfair.ca.
- ↑ "2008 Flyer" (PDF). ourontario.ca.
- ↑ "Acton Free Press". news.haltonhills.halinet.on.ca.
- ↑ "Miss Acton – Acton Fall Fair". actonfair.ca.
- ↑ "Home". Horsepull.com.
- ↑ "Curlie – Sports: Motorsports: Tractor and Truck Pulling". curlie.org.
- ↑ "How does a livestock show work-". animalsmart.org.
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