By Angie Sullivan
The 167th running of The Sutton Fair & Horse Show was a rousing success this year, combining fun and education for everyone.
Despite rain on Friday, overall attendance was up more than 4 per cent over last year with Saturday drawing record crowds.
“Our advanced admission Fair pass sales were up again this year,” Sutton Agricultural Society Director Victoria Pike said. “A big thank you to Sutton and Keswick Hardware for their support.”
“We want to thank all the patrons that attended the Fair, the sponsors, volunteers and the Sutton Agricultural Society members.”
While fair-goers enjoyed cotton candy, corn dogs and midway rides, the Fair also provides a great chance to learn about local agriculture.
Cortney Kay, the Fair’s chair of culinary arts, said, “Each year we like to showcase what agriculture means to our region. It’s a chance for people to learn about field crops, livestock, and how their food is grown.”
Olivia Girard, a 10-year-old Keswick competitor, entered 74 divisions this year winning many first prizes and $167.13.
Girard’s biggest win was the special cake prize but she was also top of the class with her chicken, Gwyneth Poultry.
Girard said, “I entered baking, crafts, flowers, vegetables, as well as livestock. My favourite part is the competition and the money.”
Her 12-year-old cousin, Azlyn O’Halloran, took top prize for her chocolate chip cookies and said, “I’ve been baking and coming to the fair for over ten years.”
Paul Traviss pulled his winning potatoes out of the ground on Tuesday for the Thursday judging and said, “The Sutton Fair is part of every summer.”
The cattle show is always popular and Margaret Hulse from Lazy Em’s Cattle Company said, “Lots of kids want to pat the cows. Our area is becoming more built-up, so some of this is brand new to people moving from the city. The Sutton Fair can help educate them about agriculture and show how we have a lot of pride in what we do.”
Lazy Em’s Cattle Company came from Schomberg with six cows and Emma Hulse won first place with her Hereford yearling bull calf.
Maddy Webster, aged 21 from Manilla, was happy to be there with her Simmental calf. Webster said, “The show is so well run. It’s relaxed and fun.”
The crowd loved the new competitions featuring tiny horses tearing around the show ring. The Mini Chuckwagon Races and Mini Gladiator Races had mud flying and cheers ringing from the stands. Olivia Hewitt, a 13-year-old Sutton native, and this year’s Junior Sutton Fair Ambassador, said, “It was exciting, fun, and fast!
Ainsley Doyle, aged 12 and the Junior Sutton Fair Ambassador runner-up, said, “They are so cute, I’ve been coming here for years and love it.”
The Junior Ambassador program is open to Georgina youth 11- 14 years old and is an opportunity for them to strengthen public speaking and leadership skills. Winners have the opportunity to attend events in the community and will represent the Sutton Agricultural Society throughout the year.
For more information, visit www.suttonfair.com
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