By Eunice V. Soriano, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Milton Reporter
The Halton Agricultural Society (HAS) commenced its annual Milton Fall Fair hosted on the Milton Fairgrounds. Groups of family and friends gathered for this three-day spectacle to capture memories full of wonder and excitement.
The Halton Agricultural Society’s current president Keith Wettlaufer has seen 40 fairs come and go, and with the help of his fellow representatives and over 200 volunteers, they were planning something special for year one hundred and sixty-eight.
Every year, the Milton Fall Fair organizes an impressive lineup of events and entertainment, weaved together by a collective theme. Earlier this month, HAS launched this year’s theme: “Country Fun For Everyone”. The announcement of this theme inspired people’s clothing choices which included flannel shirts, leather boots, and some topping their ensemble off with a classic cowboy/cowgirl hat.
However, the clothing was not the only element boosting the “country fun”. Amidst the food and rides, Milton natives gathered around the main stage to celebrate country music. The Milton Fall Fair showcased musical performances from Neon Rain, Gavin McLeod, and Hayley Verrall to name a few. To pair up with these tunes, Urban Cowboy’s Mario taught the audience how to line dance which got everyone in the country spirit.
Among this lineup of country musicians, were other notable performances. Toronto-based drag performers, Fay and Fluffy put on a “Storytime” to provide inclusive reading experiences and adorned the crowd with their comedic personas. Moments later, the Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton’s (CCAH) Community Steel Band took the stage and performed their calypso-reggaeton beats on the steel drums adding a new flair to the fair.
On the other side of the fairgrounds, adrenaline was running high as people attempted to conquer the array of rides. The dizzying ‘Orbiter’ and ‘Zero Gravity’ left people clambering for stability. Whereas, the intergalactic ‘Starship 3000’ piqued people’s curiosity mainly attributed to its UFO structure.
However, it goes without saying that the heart of these attractions was the Ferris Wheel – a staple at Milton Fall Fair. Long lines of people pined for a coveted spot and once they finally reached its peak, they were granted a breath-taking view of Milton.
As time went on, Milton natives scoured the fairgrounds to get a taste of what the fair truly had to offer. The grounds enlisted a selection of food trucks and vendors, like Born 2 Eat and Black Stone. And to satisfy their sweet cravings, people waited in line for Sylvie’s Mini Donuts and Diced Ice’s Rolled Ice Cream – both widely celebrated at the Fall Fair.
Once the clock struck 7:30, people turned their attention to the yearly demolition derby. Herds of Miltonians filled the stands and metal bleachers to catch the action in all its glory. The crowd of spectators cheered loudly as a roster of old cars and trucks slammed into one another till there was one vehicle left standing. Respectively, each lone-standing car and truck took home a prize and the audience’s adoration.
In the heat of the fair, The Halton Agricultural Society’s efforts to promote agricultural awareness should not go unnoticed. Every year, the Milton Fall Fair features a barn showcasing different farm animals from sheep to cows to horses. In describing the barn’s importance, Wettlaufer reminisces to a time when there were more gateways to agriculture. He says, “there are not as many farms in the area as there used to be. I remember when I was a kid…there was a really big dairy show and beef shows.” Wettlaufer affirms “now there’s no farms in the area, there’s no dairy show anymore, and no beef show anymore. It’s getting harder to get agricultural animals in for displays.”
Away from all the chaos, layed a staggering hall displaying a plethora of agricultural creations. One table was covered with bright fruits and vegetables, showcasing agriculture at its core. Another table enveloped by sunflowers, scarecrows designed with paper plates, and hand drawn pictures of various farm animals – all artistic creations crafted by Milton’s youth. The most noteworthy subjects were honoured with ribbons and prizes. However, this competitive system should never overshadow what the competitions were originally meant to be. In speaking about the competitions’ core, Wettlaufer says they were crafted “to keep that agriculture linked to the fair ” and ultimately, they fulfilled that intention.
From the moment the gates unlocked, the energy was palpable. And throughout the course of these three days, it never let up for a single second. This success is greatly attributed to those who value The Milton Fall Fair as a tradition, those who have been coming to the fair for years on end.
The Halton Agricultural Society extends their gratitude each year and this year Keith Wettlaufer says, “we appreciate that [people] think it’s worth coming back year after year. We always try to make it better each year.” and from the triumphs of this year’s events, it is without a doubt, they can achieve that goal every year.
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