After a two-year absence, the Barrie Fair is back.
The popular event, which is celebrating its 169th year, kicked off today at noon at the Essa Agriplex near Thornton. It boasts four days of family fun that includes a variety of agricultural-based activities such as a Jersey Calf Rally and Holstein Cow Show, as well as the always popular truck and tractor pulls.
“At our gate this year, we are accepting donations for the Thornton Food Bank, and new this year is an artisan village, where 23 local makers and crafters will sell their handcrafted goods available for purchase,” said Judi Elliott, president of the Essa and District Agricultural Society.
Also new for 2022, she noted, are four days of concerts, beginning with the Epic Eagles on Thursday night, as well as a beer garden.
Old favourites, such as the pull track, will return for both Friday and Saturday, with the demolition derby scheduled for noon on Sunday.
“The pull track is always a big people pleaser," said Elliott, adding the RCMP Musical Ride, scheduled for Friday at 2 p.m., is also always a big crowd-builder for the Barrie Fair.
“The Barrie Fair is an agricultural-based fair, so we have lots of animal shows going on. Dairy starts us off on Thursday, Friday is 4-H and it’s always a wonderful event to see the young 4-Hers with their horses and their dairy cattle,” she said. “We have an education centre where they talk about different aspects of agriculture and there are animals people can touch, see and smell. That’s our main focus, to make sure the general public who come get that experience.
"This is the first year since COVID and there’s lots of activity going on. There’s a great midway and it’s a great way to celebrate agriculture.”
Admission is $15 for visitors ages 12 and up, and $5 for children between the ages of five and 12. Kids under five are free.
For more information or for a full schedule of events, click here.
