Even before all the figures have been
compiled, we can safely say that the
Shawville Fair was a record-breaker
this year in terms of attendance. What is
more important is that the Fair did not
disappoint to gain over-receipt
attendance as has been happening for
the past decade.
There were over 18,000 people through
the gates over the Hereford show
weekend on the August 31, September 1,
2, 3, and 4. Perhaps the highlight was
the anyone who stepped onto the grounds
for the first time could feel the new
vibe coming from the Fair Board.
For the first time since 1983 the Fair
Board made enough money to pay off
its debts and still have money left over
for capital improvements next year.
This was the first year that the
Pontiac Agricultural Society with the
regional, serving the communities of
the Pontiac area. This new initiative
came with new ideas for the Fair and new
interest, that resulted in new visitors
from these outside areas.
1989 is the first year of a three-year
plan that the Fair Board is making to
restore the old fair to its original glory.
What is more important is that the Fair
did not disappoint to gain over-receipt
attendance as has been happening for
the past decade.
decide not to continue as a regional
fair.
A big increase in the size and scope of
the fair, coupled with an increase in the
number of exhibitors, was the delight
of spectators from those areas that
have always attended the Shawville
country fair. The fact that there was
more to do this year, for both young
and old, gave people lots to talk about.
When it comes to the increase in the
number of exhibitors, most of them
were first-timers in the Shawville area.
Most exhibitors and the members
of the organization are paying off by
bringing in something new, but the
organizers will now have to decide
what to make the Fair more bilingual
so that it will not be seen as an
outside only regional fair.
It should be noted that, in the process,
the Shawville Fair Board did not
negate the local aspect of the fair.
Instead, its unique country flavour
would be swallowed up by regional
and other more commercial entities.
And after it is over, the Fair will
lose the local, home grown charm.
Some are of the opinion that the
Fair is still very much a local, home
grown fair but that it is just a regional
fair in name only. It will not become
local again unless the Shawville Fair
Board make it so, not the Pontiac
Agricultural Society.
If it becomes more commercial and
more bilingual, the Fair will lose the
local, home grown charm.
Some are of the opinion that the
Fair is still very much a local, home
grown fair but that it is just a regional
fair in name only. It will not become
local again unless the Shawville Fair
Board make it so, not the Pontiac
Agricultural Society.
If it becomes more commercial and
more bilingual, the Fair will lose the
local, home grown charm.
