Lombardy Fair combines entertainment and agriculture
Posted Jul 29, 2010 By Marla Shook-Johnson
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Tweet ThisEMC Events - The Lombardy Fair has traditionally combined entertainment with agriculture successfully and the 144th annual event will be no different.
With a focus on the farming way of life, there are also many other activities for any one to enjoy throughout the four-day event, July 30 to Aug. 2, presented by the Lombardy Agricultural Society.
Some events of note, according to Gerald Covell, advertising director for the fair committee, include a Heritage Parlour Display in the Agricultural Hall on all weekend, and in the Cattle Pavilion a sheep shearing demonstration will take the wool from the point of being shorn, through to spinning and then knitting the wool into socks or other various items. Sheep shearing demonstrations as well as the spinning and knitting demonstrations take place Saturday at 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m., following the same schedule Sunday and then Monday will be featured at 10 a.m., 12 noon, and 2 p.m.
Also significant for the 2010 instalment of the fair will be the Karting Track demonstrations and night races, put on by the Lombardy Karting Association, set for Sunday afternoon, beginning at 3 p.m.
"It's great family entertainment," Covell emphasized.
Another first this year is the addition of mini vans to the demolition derby, set to take place Monday, 1 p.m. at the centre of the track. Mini van class entrants must be unibody front wheel drive, with no trailer hitches.
"We're quite excited," Covell said of all the fair has to offer up this year.
Gates open to the public at 4 p.m. Friday, July 30 with a horse and pony pull set for 6 p.m., the Junior Fair Ambassador contest registration at 6:30 p.m. in the park, followed by the competition at 7 p.m. Opening ceremonies commence at 7:30 p.m. followed by entertainment at the Grandstand from Wayne Rostad.
The fun continues Saturday with gates opening at 9 a.m., park entertainment throughout the day begins at 11 a.m. with Pete 'N' Annie, at 2 p.m. with Swing Bridge, 4:30 p.m. Runaway hits the stage, Classic Country Revue at 6:30 p.m. and Grandstand entertainment begins at 8 p.m. with Classic Country Revue - Mike Fahey, Peter Dawson and the WRD Band.
"Come and see friends you haven't met for years," Covell said. "They all come out to the fair."
Covell encourages folks to come down to the park, relax under the trees and catch up with old friends you may only see at the fair.
"It's a great place to meet people," he commented.
Demonstrations take place all day long, featuring Western Team Penning in the Team Penning Area, and in the Cattle Pavilion don't miss a milking demonstration (commencing at 12 noon and 2 p.m., also on Sunday at 12 noon and 2 p.m.). An Antique Tractor and Farm Stock Tractor Pull is scheduled for 2 p.m. on the track in front of the bleachers.
Sunday's activities begin at 10 a.m. when the gates open to the public. A church service led by Norma Wrightly, music by Penny Croghan takes place in the park beginning at 11 a.m. Blacksmith demonstrations are on all day at the Cattle Pavilion, 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 3:30 p.m. Other demonstrations include Western Team Sorting in the Team Penning area at 12 noon, as well as a Ferrier Demonstration in the Cattle Pavilion commencing at the same time.
A tradition for fair goers, the Baby Show, this year registration opens at 12:30 p.m. in the park, with the show on at 1 p.m. Followed by Kids' Day at 2 p.m. - featuring games and activities by the grandstand.
At 1 p.m. don't miss the Grass Hogs Lawn Mower Races in the Ball Park and the Valley Boys' 4x4 pickup and licensed modified pickups pulls on the track in front of the bleachers.
Musical entertainment in the park Sunday begins with County Road 5 at 2 p.m., at 4:30 p.m. the Ottawa Valley Troubadour - Lyle Dillabough hits the stage and the Bowes Brothers follow at 6 p.m. A family chicken barbecue is planned for 4 p.m. catered by the Delta United Church in the Agricultural Hall.
Monday begins at 9 a.m. with the fifth annual 4-H Horse Show and brush up on your skills day at the Team Penning Area, the Mutt Show takes place in the park at 11 a.m., with entertainment from a Fridge Full of Empties (Celtic band) in the park at 1 p.m. Also at 1 p.m., as previously mentioned, the Demolition Derby is on at the centre of the track.
At 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 2, the fair closes for another year.
In addition to scheduled events there will be many displays throughout the fair. In the Agricultural Hall make sure to visit the Junior Home Crafts, Floral Culture, Wine Making, School Displays and more. In the Homecrafts Building there is lots on offer including quilting, photography, crafts, scrapbooking, a weaving and spinning demonstration as well as traditional rug hooking. In the Cattle Pavilion don't miss trying your hand at milking with Maple the Milking Cow, a history of milk from Murray Hall, chicken hatching, a display from the Leeds County Draft Horse Club and more. The Heritage Building features Scouts Canada and the Royal Canadian Legion.
Sunday through Monday between 12 noon and 4 p.m. Land O'Lakes Tunis Shrine clowns and face painting are on offer. And all day every day World's Finest Midway, machinery displays, petting zoo, concessions are on offer.
Tickets will be available on the grounds, $2 each or three for $5 for a freezer and meat, and toolbox draw. The draw takes place Monday, Aug. 2 at 4 p.m.
The Smiths Falls Kinsmen Beer Gardens will be open Friday from 4 p.m. to midnight, Saturday from 11 a.m. to midnight, Sunday from noon to 9 p.m. and Monday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Entertainment will be featured on the Re/Max stage in the Beer Garden Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m.
Catered meals will be available in the Agricultural Hall Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Monday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., by Angelo's. A Lions Food concession area, as well as a Boy Scouts concession and a Lombardy Agricultural Society Ice Cream Booth are also on tap for the fair to offer up a variety of treats.
Free bus rides are being offered both Friday and Saturday to and from the Grandstand shows, courtesy of Healey Transportation. Pick up will be at the Giles Street office and the County Fair Mall at 6:45 p.m. with return at 11 p.m.
Admission to this year's fair is $10 for adults, with a weekend pass for adults priced at $30. Pre-teens are free. A ride bracelet is $22 for all day.
For more information phone 613-283-2640 or the Fair office between July 30 and Aug. 2 at 613-283-2065, or visit www.lasfair.ca.
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