Chesterville firefighters bring smiles to the fair Firefighters from the North Dundas Fire Station in Chesterville were at the Chesterville fair on Sat., Aug. 27 with information and fun handouts for people including children’s fire helmets. In this photo: Firefighters posed with visitors at the fair. From left to right, front row: Elizabeth and Vivianne Sarda, firefighter Lyssa Dupont. Back row: Firefighters Brett Lannin, Sean Donovan, and Damien Patterson. Thompson Goddard Photo

CHESTERVILLE – After an absence of two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chesterville Fair returned to the fairgrounds, bringing with it all the excitement and fun one could ask for. Thanks to the work of the Chesterville and District board of directors and countless volunteers, there was plenty to see and do during the fair.

Entertainment at the fair included the truck pull on Friday evening, the extremely well attended Demo Derby on Saturday evening and the tractor pull on Sunday. Firefighters from the Chesterville station of the ND Fire Department were on duty, if required, at the Demo Derby and brought with them Chesterville’s historic 1953 pumper ready to provide water to quell a fire if needed.

Inside and outside the Exhibition Hall there were vendors with a wide variety of merchandise and a henna artist. The Exhibition Hall also showcased entries into the

Homecraft division as well as the Grain and Hay division and for the first time a maple syrup division was offered. This year, Shirley Coons was the winner of the Ina Graafland Award for receiving the greatest number of points in the Homecraft division. Graafland for many years served as the Homecraft secretary.

Tribeck Inflatables provided youngsters with the opportunity to enjoy a selection of inflatables, with the climbing tower in the middle of the midway seemingly a crowd favourite. The Kids’ Tent featured a magic show, craft opportunities and the ever-popular Baby Show on Sunday. Members of the Chesterville station  were on site with people having the opportunity to view a fire truck, visit with firefighters who provided fire safety information and swag at their booth. On Saturday, wood carver Tom Stefan from Winchester Springs delighted people entering the fairgrounds as he took a log of wood, applied his creative chain sawing abilities and painting abilities to create a work of art.

If you were a bit hungry or thirsty, there were several food vendors, and the BGM Entertainment Tent offering a shady place to sit and visit. After 9 p.m. there was musical entertainment in the tent, with Bordertowne Boys performing on Friday evening, Whiskey Shot performing Saturday evening and local entertainment on Sunday.

Late on Sunday afternoon the fair wound down, the midway closed, vendors began packing up and visitors began leaving. Members of the CDAS board of directors and fair volunteers were onsite for a time to continue collecting garbage, tying up loose ends and perhaps spending a few moments reflecting on the 2022 Chesterville Fair. It was wonderful to participate in an important part of our local heritage once again. Thank for all the work done by the CDAS volunteers, board members and executives in ensuring our fair continues.