118th Annual Vegreville Country Fair was a Huge Success

118th Annual Vegreville Country Fair was a Huge Success

Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent

There were 21,006 people who attended Vegreville 118th Annual Country Fair which was held at Vegreville Agricultural Grounds from August 4 to 8.

Comedian Ventriloquist Don Bryan performing Aug. 7.

(Michelle Pinon/Photo)

Alan Baxandall, President of Vegreville Agricultural Society, said there were 12,000 people who attended the fair in 2019.

“Vegreville Agricultural Society credited this increase to the fact that the fair was held for five days so it increased the chance of people coming for more than one day. Mostly, I believe it was due to people coming from out of town who had no other chance to participate in a fair.

People who came from Lloydminster and Edmonton were the two biggest draws. We most definitely feel we achieved our goal from the theme we chose for this year; Bigger, Better, Stronger than Ever. I just sent an e-mail to my Directors and everyone about how the fair turned out and that it could be wrapped up in those three words.

Horsing around in the camping area for chuckwagon and chariot drivers.

(Michelle Pinon/Photo)

There were 200 volunteers who helped out at this fair. The most popular feature at the fair was a toss-up between the midway and the Chariot and Chuckwagon races.

Overall, the fair went very, very well. The weather cooperated. The glitches which we always have with an event this size, we managed to take in stride. It was very positive. Back to back in 2019 and years previous, we had complaints and I don’t think there were any complaints which is really strange because there usually is always some negative comments.

Chicken John’s Petting Zoo was a popular attraction.

(Michelle Pinon/Photo)

I think this is because we have been doing this fair for quite a few years and the Executive for Vegreville Agricultural Society and the people who are running the major components of the fair have been doing it for many years. We are all pretty well veterans. Also, the same people that run the horse show, the beer gardens, the Exhibit Hall, the trade show, the Chariot and Chuckwagon Races, and the outdoor commercial part; we are all veterans at doing it. So, we just keep honing our skills every year and of course, it just gets a little bit better every year.

Lastly, we want to acknowledge all the people who attended and all the volunteers within Vegreville Agricultural Society and outside the society.”

Marketplace vendor Lindsey Steffes, Manager of Prairie Rose Boarding Kennels near Tofield.

(Michelle Pinon/Photo)