The Vankleek Hill Fair is all set to go for August 2018! There are several new things in the works for this year’s fair. Priorities for the Vankleek Hill Agricultural Society, which organizes and plans the fair, has been to add more entertainment and give lots of value to those attending. To this end, children’s activities are happening every day at the fair, notes agricultural society president Jeff LeRoy.

This year’s theme is “Get moovin’ to the fair” and from the sound of the many new additions to the fair, the board has been doing some moving of its own to get things organized.

The fair board is also excited about welcoming Wayne Rostad back to the fair for Thursday evening. The parade will take place a little bit earlier than usual, departing from the Vankleek Hill Community Centre at 6:15 p.m. and arriving at the fairground at about 7 p.m. to pass in front of the grandstand. Rostad will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. and will perform in front of the grandstand. This marks a return visit for Rostad, who has fond memories of performing at the fair — perhaps more than 20 years ago. He is happy to be coming back to the fair, he says.

The combine derby will take over the spotlight at 8:30 p.m., in front of the grandstand.

Note that the fair favourites are still taking place, like the Friday afternoon variety program for seniors.

But something new on the Friday is the Rise 2 Fame Youth Talent Search, taking place under the Green Tent.This talent search involves qualifying at your local preliminary event — which in this case, is the Vankleek Hill Fair. Performances take place at 6 p.m. on Friday, August 17. You need to pre-register at: www.westernfairdistrict.com/rise2fame. There are two categories: Junior (ages 6 to 12) and youth (ages 13 to 21). Winners progress to the next level. (We will have more on this in an upcoming edition of The Review.)

A full range of activities for the kids will take place at the fair this year, with circus performers and a kids fest and also new this year: “Meet the Keepers”, a live animal meet-and-greet opportunity. Watch for circus performers roving around the fairgrounds.

The livestock shows, horse shows, sheep-shearing, heavy horse line classes, a miniature horse show, a kids tractor pull, and so much more is happening at the fair. The popular demolition derby (the derby is Saturday evening) is also on tap this year.

To view the complete schedule, visit the Vankleek Hill Fair website, pick up a rack card at shops and restaurants in the region, or stop by The Review offices to pick up a Vankleek Hill Fair book/prize list.

And another new addition to the fair is the Agri-Zibit, happening from 9 to 4 on Saturday, August 18 and from 10 to 3 on Sunday, August 19, in the southwest Cattle Barn. This is a travelling exhibit that helps everyone understand agriculture a little bit better.

Another change this year is that there will be a new midway at the fair. This will be the first year for “World’s Finest Shows” at the Vankleek Hill Fair and a new pricing structure has been put in place. Advance admission tickets include midway access, or access to rides, all day. In other words, a $15 advance admission ticket for any day of the fair includes rides. At the gate, admission tickets, which include access to all the rides, will be $20 per person. A weekend pass costs $50 and includes daily admission and rides throughout the weekend.

A “6 in the Sticks” 6-kilometre Walk/Run starts at 9 a.m. on Sunday, August 19 at the fairgrounds. And on Sunday, at 10 a.m., there will be a church service in the Green Tent, followed by brunch, served up by the folks from the Cassburn United Church (in the dining hall.)

Note that home-cooked dinners will be served on Friday, August 17 and on Saturday, August 18 at 4 p.m. in the dining hall.

Admission for those 60 and over will be $10 per day throughout the fair.

Advance admission tickets for the Vankleek Hill Fair will go on sale a few weeks before the fair at: Proxim Pharmacy, Home Hardware, Scotiabank and The Review in Vankleek Hill. In Hawkesbury, admission tickets will go on sale at Scotiabank in Hawkesbury and at Loiselle Sports in Alexandria.