Page 26 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 138

26 Issue #138 July 2024 www.sportsenergynews.com

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The Williamstown Fair, the Oldest Fair in Canada

By Christine Ouellet to the resilience and longevity of this
annual event.

n many occasions since the Rest assured, the same events that
O1800’s, the Williamstown Fair draw huge crowds like the tug-o- war,
claimed the title of “the oldest annual favourites sports such as the Raisin
Fair in Canada,” and this year it River Foot Race, popular country
retains that title again, in Canada and concerts and cultural events, are still
perhaps even across the USA. The fair on the program, The dedication of the
has been running nonstop for the past Board and the community support,
213 years, without interruption even the backbone of the organization,
throughout world wars, epidemics, remains as solid as ever.
economic and natural disasters and
President Neil Dixon, who has
most recently, Covid.
been involved with the fair in various
Hence, the 2024 fair invitation capacities for the past twenty years Fair President Neil Dixon and his wife Karen Dixon who is also the
is launched to come and discover says, “The strength of the fair has Secretary of the Fair Photo Submitted
the wonders of the Williamstown always been the dedication of the Secretary-Treasurer from 1994 to the Township of Charlottenburg on
Fair; from thrilling attractions Board of Directors of the Society 2018, and she wrote the book about the promise that we would never
to captivating exhibitions, from and the many volunteers from the history of the fair titled “The miss a fair.” Up to 1853, it was
delicious culinary delights to live the community, who assist with Williamstown Fair, a Continuing the responsibility of the Sheriff of
entertainment that will leave you the event every year. To put on History of Canada’s Oldest Annual the Eastern District at the time to
spellbound, and to admire our most the Williamstown Fair each year, Fair 1977-2018.” police it, and from 1853 to 1903 it
beautiful livestock pampered for the we depend on hundreds of local was sponsored by the Glengarry
occasion. The fair runs August 9 to volunteers without whom the fair Thus, Mrs. Runions summarizes its Agricultural Society. It never
11, 2024. Lieutenant Colonel Neil could not be what it is today. Year humble beginning: end of 1700 and stopped, and will ensure that we
Ryan, Commandant of the CFSACO after year, since 1812, committees early 1800’s, settlers developed the have our 213th edition, coming up
will proceed to the inauguration of recruit volunteers coming from land and helped each other clearing this summer. The Williamstown Fair
the fair. various towns and villages to make land, building barns, churches, continues to be the annual gathering

With such historical background, it this challenge possible and we expect schools, in a social practice called place for thousands of area residents
“bees.” The fair started in the streets
is normal to ask the question: “What’s around 10,000 visitors over the three of Williamstown, where the villagers of our rural community, as well as
new this year at the Williamstown days.” gathered to sell and exhibit and barter many visitors from afar.
Fair?” Apart from the presence of Nearly all the volunteers began their wares, exchanged gossip, and Neil Dixon says: “To give you an
the alpaca farm, many things. But their involvement with their parents, finished the day dancing to bagpipes idea of the scope of the volunteer’s
it is its continuity through time, its who were volunteers themselves. sounds and playing games. The fair involvement, I can say that the
commitment to tradition, unity, and The story goes on to Karen Dixon was recognized by Proclamation volunteers do everything here. To
agriculture that attracts volunteers, who has been secretary for the and Letters Patent by Francis Gore, name a few, we have clubs like the
participants, and visitors from afar. past six years. She followed in her Lieutenant-Governor in 1808, and Jr B hockey club who operate the
The majestic old pine trees that parents’ footsteps and started when moved to its present site in 1812. hockey booth that usually serves
surround the property’s red board she was a kid, in the cow barn. Her sausages, the Char-Lan skating
and batten heritage buildings attest mother, Beverley Runions, was Karen Dixon said: “In 1812, Sir
John Johnson gave the grounds to Continued to page 27