Ripley-Huron Fall Fair set to run this weekend, Sept. 27-29

The 161st Ripley-Huron Fall Fair runs this weekend, Sept. 27-29, with the theme, “Fall Trees and Honey Bees.”

The fair actually begins with the Teen Dance, Thursday, Sept. 26, from 7-9 p.m., at the Ripley-Huron Community Centre.

Friday’s events include RVilla Bingo in the afternoon, and beginning at 6 p.m. on the fairgrounds and in the arena, there are Greg Balch Wildlife, Kinetic Knights Robotics, the midway, nail-driving and log-sawing, Escape Rooms, Soper Creek Wildlife, Wasaga Adventure Park Laser Combat, food trucks and a refreshment tent.

The Frog-Jumping contest begins at 7 p.m., the FMX Show at 8 p.m., and the Ambassador Program, also at 8 p.m.

The evening features the Darren Steckle Band from 7-9 p.m., and Graham Bedard from 9 p.m. to Midnight.

Saturday’s events include the Sheep and Light Horse 4-H Club Shows, Beef Shows, Paw Patrol, Snippity the Clown, archery, Yungblut Timber Art, pony rides and a petting zoo, alpacas, the Ripley Wolves puck shoot, a car show, and the beer gardens.

The main attraction every year is the Mammoth Parade which runs at 11:30 a.m. from the soccer fields, past RVilla, back to Huron Street and down Queen Street to the fairgrounds. The pipe bands perform at Noon, followed by the Irish Cowboys at 12:30 p.m. Other major events include the Illusionist in the auditorium, at 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.; and the Super Dog Show, at Noon, 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.

The band, Weekend Never Ends, performs from 7-9 p.m., followed by Adam Cousins from 9 p.m. to Midnight.

The evening ends with fireworks at dusk.

Sunday’s events run from Noon to 4 p.m., featuring the Mega Machines, the Stoneboat Pullers Garden Tractor Pull, and the midway.

New this year is a sensory/quiet space where people of all ages and abilities can find calm. The Ripley Agricultural Society has worked with Community Living of Kincardine and District to create this place which can act as a re-direction tool for parents and caregivers and/or a quiet place for people who are feeling overwhelmed and in need of a rest but not yet ready to leave the fair. This space is also equipped with a changing and feeding space for babies and their families.

With support from sponsors, the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) and Trillium Mutual Insurance, sensory activities, such as bins with kinetic sand toys, mats, blankets, fidgets, etc., will be provided for use. Noise-cancelling headphones can also be signed out and used while a person enjoys the fair, to support people with sensitivities to sound.

This space will make the Ripley-Huron Fall Fair more inclusive for people of all abilities, and supports families/caregivers with young children.

Come to Ripley and celebrate the friendly fall fair in the country! For more information, visit ripleyfair.ca.



Welcoming a new sensory space at the site of the Ripley-Huron Fall Fair, are James MacDonald (left), president of the Ripley Agricultural Society, Vanessa Liu and Lauren Schierz of the South Bruce NWMO, and Angela Taylor of Community Living of Kincardine and District