Wallacetown Fair, the last in Elgin County for the year (and technically the only “fall” fair), may have been blessed with the most beautiful summer-like days of them all. The 153rd edition ran Fri Sept 26th to Sun Sept 28th and focused on a theme of “A Hunting We Will Go”. The jam-packed line-up of events included  parade, tractor pull, demolition derby, midway, chainsaw carving demos, Ultimutts, Mega Magic with Award-Winning Mike D’Urzo, Let’s Make a Deal Wallacetown Style, Chefs John Mairleitner and Terry Tew (the Redneck Chef), classic tractors and automobiles, fiddle champion Shane Cook, Wallacetown’s Got Talent, Dotsy the Clown, petting zoo, pony rides, and an attempt to set a Guinness World Record for the most people performing a duck call ... along with the traditional outdoor and indoor agricultural displays and events.  

What does it take for the long-term survival of a volunteer organization putting on an annual major event – certainly dedication, good organizational skills and a lot of hard work must all be part of the mix. It would be an admirable feat to have sustained all that for 25, 50, 100 years … but 160 years!!! That was the milestone marked by the Rodney Fair this year as organizers and community helped celebrate the 160-year old showcase of rural life.

Apple-picking time is just starting at Great Lakes Farms. Along with a chance to purchase apples, pears and pumpkins or try treats like Mile High Apple Pie, Great Lakes offers fun outdoor activities for families. A pirate ship, sand box, straw mountain and pedal carts are just some of the activities going on in the Fall Fun Farm.

The Port Bruce Fish Fry is an anticipated annual event, with volunteers serving up a tasty perch dinner and helping to raise funds for the projects of the Port Bruce Ratepayers Association. It seems to grow each year, with attendance for the 2014 edition of around 410 people feasting on 325 lbs of Lake Erie yellow perch.