If you want to know how much fun the Dragon Train ride is, just look at the smiles on the faces of the children enjoying it. Tinkess Photo

NAVAN – In the 77 years that the Navan Fair has existed as an important part of this rural eastern Ontario community, it has surely experienced more than an occasional weather delay. Leading up to the fair’s opening night, there was a great deal of apprehension that the after-effects of Hurricane Debby might put a damper on things. The organizers, however, remained confident that it would all turn out okay, and they were correct. It did rain, a great deal actually, but then the skies cleared, and most events went on as scheduled.

Navan, like many other small communities in the area, has been absorbed into the City of Ottawa, but that doesn’t mean they have lost their identity. Very much the opposite: They remember their rural roots, and the funny thing is that many of the people that have moved into the area are only too happy to connect with that heritage as well. That is one reason why fairs in eastern Ontario continue to remain relevant. It is a rural choice being renewed each year.

Saturday was a perfect example. The parade is an important part of the Navan fair. People lined up along the parade route and waited patiently, applauding as the various dance groups, marching bands, local sponsors, horses, and tractors rolled by. It had a definite rural flavour, and the crowds loved it.

As the final group passed, people began moving to the main gate to enter the fairgrounds. While Navan may be rural, there was nothing small-time about the fair. There were displays of vintage tractors and livestock, of course, but also rides for the youngest and rides for the more daring, and far too many food choices for anyone to make in one day.

Like music? Every day there were several different performers available, some free with admission, others with a cover charge, but enough different types of music available to interest almost everyone. New Vintage opened things up on Thursday evening, and Keith Glass, The Barrow Gang Buskers and Terry Marcotte wrapped things up on Sunday. On the days in between there were The Timberline and Big Sugar, to name just a couple.

Want a bit of noise and excitement?  The demolition derby might have been just what you were looking for. Follow that up with some time on the Drop Zone and you will surely feel your heart pumping

Want to learn about agriculture? Try the agricultural education barn, check out the 4-H exhibits or watch one of the livestock competitions in the arena. It is impossible to watch any of the Heavy Horse competitions and see the huge, powerful, yet graceful creatures without being impressed, and that is without even considering the ornate wagons they draw.

There is so much to see, so much to experience, so much to learn. The theme of the 77th edition of the Navan Fair was “The sweetest things in life.” You can finish that statement any way you want, but perhaps “are in your own back yard,” might be the most appropriate.