The excitement builds all summer long, and then it arrives, the Vankleek Hill Fair.

This year’s fair, the 180th, begins on Thursday, August 15 and continues until Sunday, August 18 at the Vankleek Hill Fairgrounds, located at the west end of town on County Road 10.

The theme of this year’s fair is Country Roots and Cowboy Boots.

Events at the fair begin during the day on Thursday, August 15 with hall exhibits opening and a tug-of-war. The parade, which signals the start of the fair for many people, will begin at 6 pm at the Vankleek Hill Community Centre and end in front of the grandstand at the fairgrounds at 6:45.

To celebrate 180 years of the fair, a Past President’s Parade will take place on Friday, August 16 for all past Vankleek Hill Agricultural Society presidents. Many past presidents from recent decades are still around, although it is highly unlikely anyone from 1844 will attend.

Dairy cattle, heavy horse, tractor pulls, horse pulls, and riding events are all taking place throughout the four days of the Vankleek Hill Fair. Exhibits will be set up in the hall showing the very best from local kitchens and gardens.

Learning and fun is part of the fair. Displays and demonstrations on a variety of agricultural products and tasks are presented at the education tent, along with activities for children.

The bright lights, games, and fun rides will be available on the midway on all four days of the fair.

There will be live musical entertainment every day and evening at the fair, and of course there is always a popular place to gather for refreshments and reconnect with old friends and neighbours.

On Saturday night, the demolition derby, which is the highlight of the fair for many spectators, will take place. Car drivers from all over the area have been busy preparing their vehicles for the big event.

Nixon said there are new events and changes to existing events at this year’s fair.

New this year is a monster truck show on Thursday night.

“They’ve never been here before,” Nixon said.

Due to its popularity, the horse show has been expanded to two days at this year’s fair, with competitions taking place on both Friday and Saturday.

Nixon said the fair would not be possible without all of the agricultural society’s volunteers.

“Everything’s coming together,” Nixon commented.

He added that many of those volunteers even take their holidays from their regular jobs to help organize and present the fair.