Vogel photo

NAVAN – With their Upside Down Parade, Navan Fair organizers have added a bit of excitement and fun to the summer of 2020. The event was held at the Navan Fairgrounds on Sat., Aug. 8, with organizer Eleanor Hodges explaining the parade was designed “to replace the fair,” which would have celebrated its 75th anniversary this year had it not been cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

In an email to The Chesterville Record, Hodges explained it was an Upside Down Parade as the spectators “were the ones to do the parading.” The “approximately 18 float type entries” were stationed around the grounds, and cars drove past to view them.” She continued how community organizations such as the “Lions, W.I., local fire station volunteers, and a few businesses from Navan” participated in the event. Many antique cars and tractors, old style farm equipment as well as live animals such as a “Clydesdale mare and foal, alpacas, goat with twins, calf, and chickens. The Keepers came with some of their parrots” which added to the enjoyment of spectators.

She continued, that 250 vehicles went through the event with donations of cash and goods made to the Eastern Ottawa Resource Centre. Hodges also explained the Navan Fair, hosted by the Cumberland Township Agricultural Society (CTAS), has had some virtual events including a “baby show and garden show, and a kids craft show” designed to “have the community get involved in something, even though there is no fair this year.”

Williamstown Fair, Canada’s oldest annual fair, will be holding its 209th edition on Sat., Sept. 5 at the fairgrounds billed as a “Virtual Home & Garden and a Drive-Thru Fair” between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. More information can be found on their web-site at www.williamstownfair.ca or on their Facebook page.