PROVIDENCE BAY—The annual Providence Bay Fall Fair is a staple a must see and take part in event as there is to be found on Manitoulin Island and one that this is eagerly anticipated by both local residents and visitors alike.
“Good evening and welcome to the 134th annual Providence Bay Agricultural Society Fall Fair,” stated Norm Morrell, master of ceremonies at the opening ceremonies held in the local arena on Friday, August 18. “To have an event like this celebrating its 134th consecutive year taking place is quite a tribute to the community and its residents.”
“I would like to welcome everyone here tonight,” said Richard Stephens, mayor of the Municipality of Central Manitoulin. He said the fair always provides a good time for everyone who takes part and continues to be a success because of all the hard work done by the Providence Bay Agricultural Society Fair Board and volunteers.
District 12 representative for the Ontario Fall Fair Association (OFFA) Debbie Kirby said, “it’s so nice to be nice to be here again this year.” She brought greetings from the OFFA and District 12. “You have a wonderful board of directors, members and the community, volunteers and families all join together to make this fair such a great event.”
Angela Johnston, representing the fair board, presented the Fair Junior King and Queen awards to Teiran Noble-Stone and Autumn Davy.
Jack White, president of the fall fair board, then welcomed everyone to the fair. He thanked all the fair board members, volunteers, associate director, volunteers and sponsors for all their support, dedication and effort. “This is a great team to work with.”
Mr. White presented several very special awards, including a Meritorious Service to Youth Award to Karlene Scott and Meritorious Service Awards to Merlin and Christine Lewis and a supporting board volunteer John White. Another set of awards sponsored by the federal government were presented to long time fair sponsors Elwin Shaw, Barry Williamson of D.A. Williamson’s and Sons and Mindemoya Home Hardware.
After the official opening, Karlene Scott welcomed everyone to the Fair Ambassador Pageant. She provided a history of the pageant and noted that this year, “we are delighted to have four lovely young ladies participating in the pageant tonight.” The contestants included Megan Misner, Alicia Williamson, Delaney Madore and Michelle Campbell.
Each contestant presented a speech and then, later in the evening, the judges selected their choice of the winners of the pageant. Chosen as Ambassador of the Fair was Michelle Campbell of Mindemoya with Alicia Williamson of Little Current selected as the First Princess and Miss Congeniality.
The evening also included a pie-eating contest, a light horse show and viewing of the many creative and colourful exhibits in the exhibit hall.
Events held on a busy Saturday included a pancake breakfast held at the United Church, the midway by Albion Amusements, Reptilia Educational Reptile Zoo, The Stylamanders interactive music family show, judging of livestock and a live animal display, Glendale Petting Zoo, live entertainment by the Youngstown Band, children’s races, face painting and a heavy draft horse pull. In the latter, Kevin Gilbert was first with his team of horses, with Gerald Webkamigad second and Jerome Pheasant third.
The best light horse team division saw Katie Cyr and her team in first (a full pull of 5,750 lbs.), Jon Graham second (2’6” 5,750 lbs.) and Brendan Gilbert (driving his grandfather’s team in his first ever event), third (16’3” 4,500 lbs.). There were three generations of the Gilbert family who took park in the horse pull event. The Katie Cyr team was judged as best dressed team, best teamster was Clifford George.
In the heavy pull, Kevin Gilbert won first with a full pull of 8,000 lbs.; second was Jerome Webkamigad with a 13’ pull of 8,000 lbs.; and third was Jerome Pheasant with a 6’ pull of 6,500 lbs.
The pull was dedicated to the memory of beloved teamster the late Chicken George of Wiikwemkoong, with a moment of silence held in his memory before the start of the pull.
In the single pull, Kevin Gilbert pulled 4,500 lbs. two feet with his 1,635 lb. horse Ben followed by second, Jon Graham with a 4,500 lb. pull of 6’ with his 1,670 lb. horse Snap; and third, Lisa Gilbert with her 12’3” 3,750 lb. pull with horse Peanut, weighing in at 1,525 lbs.
The heavy horse single pull was won by Brendan Gilbert and Sam (1,710 lbs.) with their 14’ pull of 4,500 lbs.; second, Blaine Gilbert and Dan (1,745 lbs.) with their 10:10” pull of 4,500 lbs.; and third, Zach with his horse Belle (1,730 lbs.) and their 4,500 lb. pull of 2’4”. It is interesting to note that the lightest heavy horse, Sam, pulled the heaviest weight.
Of course, what would a fair be without a parade and Saturday’s morning’s display was phenomenal.
Some of the results from the different categories included: Individual Theme in first were The Duxbury Family, with the Dewar family coming second and third the Nadorozny Family; Best Decorated All terrain or Miniature Float, went to the golf cart of Don and Pat Burke, the Canada 150 float prize went to the Dewars and Lewis; the Antique Motorized Vehicle category was won by Rob and Gloria Sandercott in a 1968 Mustang; Most Innovative and Attractive Float went to O Canada, by Commercial Sound and Lighting’s Ben McKenzie; Children Participants went to Jennifer and Chris McGowan for Balloon Animals; Miniature Fire Truck went to Natalie French; Decorated Bicycle saw Sebastien French first, Theo French second and Spencer Johnston third; and Best Walking Group went to the Future Jr. Volunteer Department.
Other winners at the Providence Bay Fair included Carol Robertson of Gore Bay, who won the quilt; Lenora Tann, winner of the Lazy Susan table; Gordon Kay, winner of the wall hanging; and Joan Sagle, winner of the Youngstown band CD.
A family tug of war and relay race was held in the evening which also featured the Manitoulin’s Got Talent Show.
On Sunday motocross sanctioned by the Canadian Motosport Racing Corporation was held at the track, a family paper boat race, turtle races, family round bale push, quilt raffle draw, family fun winners and much, much more.
