It’s fun to compete, but it is even more fun when you are successful. From left: Joelle Devries and Maryn Hunter. Tinkess Photo

METCALFE – While the village of Metcalfe may be a part of the Greater City of Ottawa, it seems that in its soul is still a small rural community, knowledgeable in its history and the traditions that reach back many generations.

That doesn’t mean the Metcalfe Fair, or its organizing committee thinks small, not at all, and that quickly become apparent every year when you attend The Fair.

For one thing, there always seems to be something different. I can’t, for example say I have ever attended a fair where just inside the front gate there were two ladies demonstrating an old-style ringer washer (don’t put your fingers near the ringers!) It was just one more way of showing how no matter how times change, the Metcalfe Fair is still relevant.

There is also something special about being the final Fair of the year. The weather isn’t stifling hot, there are fewer insects and there is also that sense that you had better be there because it will be a long time till the first fair rolls around in 2025.

Judging by the crowds on Saturday (Carleton Mushroom Day), it was the place to be, whatever your reason for being there.

For many people the big attraction is the midway, and there was an excellent selection to choose from, whether you wanted to hang upside down 50 feet in the air, or you wanted something a little tamer. There were rides a family could enjoy together, like the Ferris wheel or the carousel, but there were also plenty of things young children could enjoy on their own and get that first taste of independence.

If you weren’t into the rides, early in the day was a good time to stroll through the extensive display of antique machinery. There were tractors of all colours and sizes as well as threshing machines, graders and even a few items that seemed to defy description. All were impeccably maintained, revealing once again that machinery can be made to last if the will to do so is present. I should look that good at that age and with that work under my belt.

If you felt the need to get out of the sun for a bit, then stopping by the family building or the agricultural hall was a great choice. While it might often be said that perfection is the enemy of good, it’s nice on occasion to take a moment and see what perfection looks like. It’s nice!

What would a fair be without the usual food offerings? Food is always a pleasant part of the fair experience and in Metcalfe you wouldn’t have been disappointed, either by the selection or the quality of the food, and the prices seemed reasonable as well. Another bonus: the lines seemed to be moving quickly as well.

The heritage of The Metcalfe Fair is obviously steeped in agriculture, (it has been held annually since 1856), and it bodes well for the future when you watch young 4-H members as they grow into the role of being a show person, learning how to make their animal look and behave its best while discovering the small details that allow the judges to see them at their best. There was no shortage of both effort and results in Metcalfe.

With so much going on, you can be sure that by 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, many of the volunteers were ready to head home, sit down and catch their breath, but planning in some form would already be underway for next year.

For those who like to plan ahead, the 2025 Metcalfe Fair runs from Oct. 2-5. I’m sure we’ll see you there.