WESTLOCK – Although rain forced the cancellation of some of the signature events like the chuckwagon and chariots races and put a damper on the Friday-morning parade, the skies cleared for the better part of the final two days of the 107th-annual Westlock and District Agricultural Fair held Aug. 18-20.
In fact, business was so brisk for the ag society on the final day, which included the inaugural pie-eating contest, as well as the always-popular demolition derby, they nearly ran short of wristbands. Looking back on this year’s edition, ag society president Carl Larsen said all things considered, it was another great weekend as they drew right around 4,000, give or take a few hundred either way. In addition to the two-day rodeo and demo derby, staples like the Ted and Doreen Latawiec Memorial Horseshoe Tournament and tractor pulls were a little soggy on Saturday, but still went ahead as planned.
“Friday was really, really slow due to the weather. But then on Saturday it got a lot better, although people were still wondering what was going on. But we were able to get the infield into shape for the rodeo and it went ahead and it did quite well,” said Larsen. “And by the time we got to Sunday, it became a really, really good day. Overall, I think I can probably call it a successful weekend because the fair went ahead … despite the rain, which is something we can’t control.”
He said they’ve received a lot of positive feedback on this year’s new additions, like the pie-eating contest which “filled a nice gap between the rodeo and the start of the demo derby”, as well as the mutton bustin’ and wild pony racing during the rodeo. Now, they’ll take stock of what worked, what didn’t and then tweak for the 108th edition which will return next August.
“There are always places to improve, definitely. Every year we look back on the entire weekend and then make changes just to try and improve it,” he said.
Larsen paid special tribute to not only the ag society members who helped organize and then worked the fair, but the small army of volunteers who did everything from staffing the gates, to working the beer gardens. He also said that without the support of the business community, as well as the residents who put down their dough to attend, the fair would cease to exist.
“We just don’t ever want to see it go by the wayside. I think the turnout was good and the overall vibe was good as everyone seemed to enjoy themselves,” said Larsen. “And definitely a big thanks to everyone in the community for helping to make this happen. Without them, we don’t have a fair.”
