WESTLOCK - The town of Westlock is preparing for its headline event, the 109th edition of the annual Agricultural Fair from Aug. 15-17.
“We're looking forward to another successful year and it's always a great event to put on. We hope that the community enjoys as much as we do,” said Samantha Gabbey, Ag Society secretary and parade director.
The fair will kick off with a “Day at the Beach”-themed parade through town on Friday, Aug. 15 starting at 10:30 a.m. The parade will begin near the Westlock Healthcare Centre on 93 Avenue before turning left on 97 Avenue, then right onto 100 Avenue until turning onto 106 Street and looping back around on 103 Avenue.
“We've got so many entries in my inbox right now I can't even keep track of them, but we've got quite the lineup of local businesses, profit and nonprofit organizations that are joining us so it should be a pretty good parade again this year,” said Gabbey.
Entries to the parade can pre-register by Thursday (Aug. 14) through emailing [email protected] or they may register the morning of the parade at the registration table between 8-9:45 a.m.
For those unable to attend the parade in person, it will be livestreamed by Westlock resident Mark Zaplotinsky on his YouTube channel with a view of the parade coming down 106 Street. The link to the stream can be accessed here.
The fair features a wide variety of entertainment and events including chuckwagon and chariot races, a beef show, demolition derby, draft heavy horse pull, horseshoe tournament, light horse show, pie eating contest, rodeo, cabaret and tractor pull.
Friday will feature the draft heavy horse pull at 3 p.m.
“We've got a great lineup for the heavy horse pole and chuckwagons. The heavy horse pole is a true demonstration of horsepower if you know what I mean,” said Gabbey.
Saturday will feature the beef show from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., horseshoe tournament at 1 p.m., tractor pull at 4 p.m. and cabaret from 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Several local bands and artists will be playing at the Ag barn on Saturday including folk singer Francis Kavanagh and the Sweet Harmony Duo.
Sunday will feature a pancake breakfast, the light horse show at 9 a.m., the pie eating contest and the demolition derby at 4 p.m.
The chuckwagon races will take place every evening with 6 p.m. start times Friday and Saturday and a 10 p.m. start time on Sunday.
There will be various rodeo events throughout Saturday and Sunday including bull riding, saddle bronc, bareback, team roping, calf roping, ladies barrel racing, steer wrestling, junior bull riding, junior barrel racing, pee wee barrel racing and novice horse riding.
There will be various kids and family events throughout the weekend including bouncy houses, a children’s obstacle course, a colouring contest (for children under 12), face painting, a family fun zone, a petting zoo and a pony ride carousel.
The parade will also feature concessions from various local vendors including beer gardens near the race track and an indoor trade show.
There will also be a pie baking competition which be open on Sunday from 2 to 3 p.m. with the winner of the best pie in the county being announced between 4:30 and 5:30 at the rodeo grand stands.
Cloudy weather is forecast throughout the weekend with highs of around 20 C each day and a slight chance of rain Friday and Saturday.
“We've had a bunch of rainouts since Covid, so that's really affected our numbers,” said Gabbey. “We’re really hoping that this rain that's come this week gives us what we need and then goes away for next weekend.”
The full schedule and further details can be viewed on the Westlock and District Agricultural Society website.
Tickets for admission are $15 per day for ages 14 and up, $5 per day for ages 7-13 and free admission for ages six and under.
