The Barrie Fair opened Wednesday for the final time at the Barrie Fair Grounds on Essa Road.

Once again the fair will bring a little bit of the country to the city with its horse shows, farm pavilion and craft exhibits.

“We have the livestock competitions, the cattle show, horse shows and they seem to be growing every year,” said Kim Sarmiento, general manager of the Barrie Fair. “We also have what we call home crafts and that includes all the arts and crafts and food and flowers.”

In its 155 years of existence, the fair has remained an agricultural event.

Sarmiento said the one thing not to be missed is the farm pavilion.

“It’s an opportunity for kids to see the different types of animals and have some education where food comes from,” she said. “We also have the rabbits and the poultry building which is always very popular.”

The fair features daily horse shows, and a sheep show on Friday. Poultry, beef cattle, dairy cattle and Hereford shows will take place on Saturday, with the Junior Angus show, Rabbit/Cavy show and Angus/Charolais show on Sunday.

There will also be live entertainment including Brett Kaslow, The Ground Floor, Used for Glue, Tonya Kennedy, Elyse Saunders and a number of local bands.

Other entertainment includes the Family Circus, Monster Madness, a BMX show and a FMX show.

There will also be the crowd favourite demolition derby Sunday at 3 p.m.

For the youngsters, Clarol the Clown, Splash’N Boots, the Stylamanders and Little Ray’s Crocodiles of the World will be performing over the weekend.

“There is a real concentration on family entertainment,” Sarmiento said. “We’ve got some great children’s entertainers and we have a fireworks display scheduled for Saturday night.”

The fireworks display will take place at dusk, approximately 9:30 p.m. on Saturday.

The fair will also once again welcome the Campbell Amusements midway which will kick off the fair Wednesday for Toonie night. All rides are only $2 each.

This year is the final one for the fair to be held in Barrie before it makes the move to its new home in Essa Township for 2009.

“It’s not our last fair, but it is our last fair in Barrie on these fairgrounds,” Sarmiento said. “Everyone should come out.”

An all-day fair and ride pass can be purchased, only in advance, at Zehrs Markets in Barrie. Passes are $25 and include one-day admission to the fair and unlimited rides on the midway.

For more information on the Barrie Fair, click the link provided or call 737-3670.

Barrie Fair Schedule of Events:

Fair Buildings:
Aug. 21 to Aug. 23 – 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Aug. 24 – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Midway
Aug. 20 – 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Aug. 21 to Aug 23  – noon to 10 p.m.
Aug. 24 – noon to 5 p.m.