Gleichen & District Ag Society hosts their 27th Annual Fall Fair

Times Contributor

 

Country living at its best was proudly on display as Gleichen hosted its 27th Annual Fall Fair this past Saturday, Aug. 20.

The day started with a fabulous breakfast of sausages and scrambled eggs prepared by the local Lions for an eager crowd at the Sportsplex, with proceeds going to S.T.A.R.S.

The parade started at the Sportsplex and wound its way to the downtown area. Spectators were pleased with the variety of floats and the ingenuity of some of the participants. 

Olive Hayes and her husband Walter (former residents of Gleichen) return every year for the parade and to participate in the events of the day. Hayes said she “enjoys watching the parade and seeing who has come out and also collects candy for the grandkids.” 

Of course candy, freezies and hats were thrown to the crowds gathered along the sidewalks. 

New to the parade this year were dozens of handmade mini pedal tractors built mostly out of recycled materials and such things as bicycle parts and old dryers. They were provided by Pedal Tractor Farm from Medicine Hat who recruited some of the children from the community to pedal them in the parade.

After the parade people made their way back to the Sportsplex, which was humming with activity both inside and outside. Three bouncy houses had been set up for the younger crowd to bounce and play in all day long. 

A “Show and Shine” antique car and farm vehicle show was spread in the field in front of the arena for people to enjoy, and owners were available to ask questions and show off their ‘babies’. A face-painter on the premises transformed little girls into butterflies and kitties and little boys into tigers.

The Bench Show and Trade Fair was set up inside the main auditorium. The Bench Show itself had many categories of samples for all age groups and items. Prizes were granted according to a point system and a panel of judges. Children as young as 7 and under were encouraged to participate. One little girl, Manney McArthur (age 4), was excited to have a shiny 1st place ribbon on her Duplo/Lego castle that she built. 

“The exhibits are exceptional, as are the exhibits that our young adults and children put forth, great job. This fair has moved forward with the help from the community to bring new and exciting exhibits and venues for the visitors each year,” says Alice Booth (Councilor Division #1 Wheatland County).

The St. Andrew’s Anglican Church Ladies catered at the concession all day selling pies and beef on a bun under the supervision of the talented Dianne Brown (from The Country Farmhouse) and the help of numerous volunteers.

The arena was filled with the aforementioned Pedal Tractors from Medicine Hat as a new event for the kids. The company started with twin brothers competing against each other to see who could build the better tractor. 

Leanne Leismeister said, “the family business has done well and has been available for rent for well over 10 years now.” 

Kids were pedaling all over the arena and racing against each other in the colorful tractors.

A fun event was the “Running of the Beds” outside the arena in the afternoon. The cleverly crafted beds were attached to wheels with steering and had to carry one person as other members of the team pushed the bed through the timed obstacle course.

Gleichen residents and vacationers had an amazing day full of fun, food and fair. The evening was completed with a Dance at the Rodeo grounds after the FCA & CRA Rodeo events were over. Local musician Drew Gregory, from Standard, performed at the dance.