The Vankleek Hill Fair is just a few weeks away, kicking off on August 15 and continuing until August 18. This year, the fair celebrates its 175th anniversary and the theme is: Celebrating 175 years of Farm to Plate.

Prescott County residents are being invited to decorate their front yards and porches as part of an Outdoor Decoration Competition.

Activities begin on Thursday, August 15 with entries arriving at the exhibit hall. Judging takes place in the afternoon and at 4 p.m., the midway opens. At 6:15 p.m., the Vankleek Hill Fair Parade leaves the Vankleek Hill Community Centre to make its way through town, ending at the fairgrounds by parading in front of the grandstand. This year’s fair opening will be presided over by the parade marshall, local paracyclist Joey Desjardins.

At 7:30 p.m., there is a Majinx show in front of the grandstand followed by the popular combine derby.

Musical entertainment includes Hoedown on the Hill presented by R2H in the green tent at 7:30 p.m. and the County Lads in the Show Barn at 9:30 p.m.

Friday morning has two major livestock events taking place. At 10 a.m., the heavy horse line classes take place in front of the grandstand while in the South East ring, the Holstein Show gets underway.

Home-cooked dinners will be served in the dining hall on Friday and Saturday, starting at 11:30 a.m. in the dining hall. Meals will also be served at 4 p.m. on both days.

(The exhibit hall and artisan displays are open from 9 a.m. until closing Friday through Sunday.)

The midway opens at 11 a.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

At 12 noon, the PeeWee Showmanship classes take place in the South East Ring, while a circus performer will perform at various locations on the fairgrounds.

Visitors can view sheep-shearing demonstrations at 12 noon, 2 p.m. and at 4 p.m. outside the Green Tent.

Apex Escape Room will be on site on Friday from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m., on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and on Sunday, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Friday afternoon is set aside for a special seniors program, beginning at 1 p.m., including the Campbell Family performing in the Green Tent, followed by a Majinx show at 2:15 p.m., along with other entertainment.

Norm Campeau will be entertaining with country music in the Show Barn from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Majinx performs a second show of the day at 5:30 p.m. in the Green Tent.

Rise 2 Fame Youth Talent Search takes place at 6 p.m. in the Green Tent.

At 6:30 p.m., catch the Wild Horse Club’s Western Games in the Light Horse Ring. In the meantime, in front of the grandstand, the horse pull starts at 7 p.m.

The evening’s entertainment includes Soundcheck in the Showbarn from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Ransom, starting at 9:30 p.m., in the same location.

On Saturday, August 17, the fair gets off to an early start with the Extreme Cowboy Race starting at 8 a.m. in the Light/Western Horse Ring.

From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., visitors can take in Agri-Zibit Zone, located in the South West Cattle Barn. That exhibit continues on Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sheep-shearing takes from at 10 a.m. with Ross Creighton.

The heavy horse hitch classes will take place in the centre ring, while the Open 4-H Dairy Heifer Show will begin at 10 a.m. in the Centre Ring.

At 10 a.m., the Open 4-H Dairy Heifer Show takes place in the South East Ring. Miniature horse demonstrations will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the heavy horse ring.

Saturday afternoon is for the kids! There will be activities for children from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. under the Green Tent, including Frisotine from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

At 11 a.m., and again at 3:30 p.m., there will be a drum circle in the Green Tent. At 11:30 a.m., and at 2:30 p.m., Meet the Keepers, a live animal “meet and greet” will take place in the Green Tent.

At 12:15 p.m., there will be a kids tractor pull in the Green Tent.

The North American Six-Horse-Hitch classic takes place at 1 p.m.

In the meantime, back in Green Tent, Majinx will perform at 1:15 p.m. and again at 4 p.m.

The popular demolition derby takes place, starting at 7 p.m. — in front of the grandstand.

Eastbound of Bytown will entertain with country music in the Show Barn from 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.

Musical attractions include Slightly Seattle in the Showbarn from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m.

The English Light Horse Show kicks off Sunday, August 18 at 8:30 a.m. in the Light Horse Ring.

A church service will take place at 10 a.m. in the Green Tent, while brunch, served by Cassburn United Church, will be served in the dining hall.

You can take in the antique equipment display in the Centre Ring and at 11 a.m., a volleyball tournament will take place in the Sand Court.

The Farm Stock and Antique Tractor Pull takes place at 11 a.m. in front of the grandstand and from 11 to 3 p.m., a KidsFest continues in the Green Tent.

The Future Farmers Olympics Relay Races take place from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. while the beef show takes place in the South East Ring.

The entertainment line-up includes Hadrian’s Wall, from 12 noon to 2:30 p.m. and the RIQ Turner Band will entertain from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Show Barn.

Here is the rundown on ticket prices:

Advance Sale Prices (BEFORE AUGUST 1ST)
• Thursday: $15 (Admission + rides)
• Friday: $15 (Admission + rides)
• Saturday: $15 (Admission + rides)
• Sunday: $15 (Admission + rides)
Weekend Pass: $50.00 (Admission + rides)

Gate Ticket Prices (AFTER AUGUST 1ST)
• Thursday: $20 (Admission + rides)
• Friday: $20 (Admission + rides)
• Saturday: $20 (Admission + rides)
• Sunday: $20 (Admission + rides)
Weekend Pass: $60.00 (Admission + rides)
CHILDREN up to 36 INCHES tall ARE FREE