Carp Fair 163 has it all

CARP – The weekend weather cooperated; the crowds flocked to Carp; and edition 163 of the Carp Fair had something for lifelong revelers and first-time fair visitors alike.

 The Carp Fair is a generational tradition for those who call West Carleton home and is an opportunity to take part in West Carleton culture for those visiting from outside of the community.

And with one of the area’s largest midways; endless agricultural and livestock displays and competitions; incredible live music and shows; and a few oddities and rarities, the Carp Fair attracted tens of thousands of visitors over its four-day run starting Thursday, Sept. 24 and wrapping up Sunday, Sept. 27. This year it was also a don’t miss campaign stop for council and mayoral candidates in the upcoming Oct. 26 municipal election (and West Carleton Online will have more on that later this week).

With hundreds of volunteers required to put the event together it’s no small feat and no wonder it has earned the nickname The Best Little Fair in Canada.

From David Wilcox’s return to the Carp Fair with an ear-shattering performance, to the $40,000 Ontario Four Hitch Series finale, to the Antiques Department fundraising auction, to an expanded midway and an incredible array of fair food, as well as a million other things to do, it was an action-packed time for anyone who came through the gates.

As tradition dictates, Saturday (Sept. 26) noon of the Carp Fair weekend features the Carp Fair Ceremonial Parade and official opening, both of which take place in the grassy Centre Ring more commonly known as the heavy horse ring. 

This year, a large crowd showed up to get a close look at the antique vehicles and tractors that ferried special guests, Carp Fair board members and volunteers in to the ring for the official opening of the 163rd Carp Fair. It was a perfect fall day as the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) pipe band led the parade through the north gate of the centre ring a few minutes past noon.

Fair board member and master of ceremonies Shawn Paul welcomed the crowd and introduced special guests Kanata MP Jenna Sudds, Kanata-Carleton MPP Karen McCrimmon and West Carleton-March Coun. Clarke Kelly.

As the invitees disembarked from their ride and gathered together in centre ring, Paul told the crowd, including West Carleton Online, the dedication of countless volunteers has been crucial to the fair’s on-going success.

“The people standing behind me are the real heart and soul of this fair,” he said. “They put in hours and hours upon hours of volunteer work. It is their efforts that make this fair what it is.”

After a rousing rendition of Oh Canada, sung by Fitzroy Harbour’s Bill Wilson, Coun. Kelly stepped forward with his welcome to the “Best Little Fair in Canada.”

“As someone who was born and raised in West Carleton-March, I’ve visited the fair almost every year of my life,” he said as he addressed the crowd and in particular, Carp Fair board members. “Each and every one of you has spent more than a decade on the Carp Fair board. You have worked all year long to make this happen. Let’s have a huge round of applause for these people.”

Each year during the opening ceremony, three deserving volunteers are recognized for their dedication to the fair and their community.  

This year’s recipient of the Meritorious Service Award was Jason Kemp who was recognized for making a valuable contribution to one or more aspects of the agricultural life of the community.

The Roll of Honour for distinguished service was awarded to David Cousins by the Canadian Association of Fairs and Exhibitions in recognition of his long-time service to the fair.  

The Wallace Armstrong Memorial Award was presented to Doug Craig in recognition of his dedication to agricultural awareness through leadership and enthusiastic involvement enriching the lives of exhibitors, local fairs and communities.

Next up, Carp Fair board President Scott Moore (Agricultural Division) shared his appreciation to family and volunteers for their ongoing and long-standing support.

“This is a great day not just because of the weather, but we are also here to celebrate the Best Little Fair in Canada,” he said. “We could not do that without the dedication of our volunteers. I thank them as well. We are so proud to put this fair on for all of you. We also have an amazing group of sponsors.”

In wrapping up the 20-minute ceremony, Carp Fair board President Annie Craig (Homecraft Division) said all of the hard work was worth it as she thanked friends and family for their support.  

“They say the best memories are made at the fair and I really believe it,” she said. “Our fair Is about so much more than the rides and the food. It’s about the moments we share. Thank you for joining us and for keeping this treasured tradition alive. When it’s all said and done, and the midway lights go out, the barns will be empty, the fairgrounds will be quiet again but the memories you make here will last a lifetime.”