Fun and games at the South Mountain Fair
The South Mountain Fair battled some inconsistent weather over the weekend of Aug. 15-18; but that didn’t stop the crowds from showing up in droves to partake in the fun. The midway boasted a variety of rides and games for attendees of all ages to enjoy. The Ferris wheel provided fairgoers an eagle eye view of the grounds. Thompson Goddard photo

Heave ho!
The tractor pull gathered a substantial crowd to see vintage tractors pull their weight around the track.
Glover photo

SOUTH MOUNTAIN – A little rain never hurt anyone, right?

The weather was not on the community’s side this past weekend, with scattered showers and grey clouds glooming over the 127th South Mountain Fair – but that didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits.

While Sat., Aug. 17 and Sun., Aug. 18 had a decent turnout despite some rainy showers and dark skies, Fri., Aug. 16 had a suspected record-breaking crowd according to previous North Dundas mayor and Conservative candidate Eric Duncan on Twitter.

“Just got home from working the gates at the South Mountain Fair,” he wrote. “That had to be a record shattering attendance tonight; I’ve never seen crowds like that before! It was so busy, I didn’t get a chance to take a picture of it all.”

With the popular milking competition and mutton bustin’ event still bringing in attendees, there were some absences from this year’s fair.

4-H Dairy winners
Winners of the 4-H Dairy Achievement Day, were, from the left, Kyleigh Jampen (Grand Champion Showperson), Taylor Mathers (Reserve Champion Showperson) and Madisyn Hart (Honourable Mention Showperson).
Glover photo

The Kids Corn Maze did not return this year and was replaced with a sunflower garden. Whether or not this is connected to last year’s vandalism is unknown. The Garlic Festival was also absent from the fair.

Results of the 4-H Dairy Achievement Day are as follows: Novice Showmanship: Alexandra Bloderer, Emma-Jane Hess, Sam Schuler. Junior Showmanship: Taylor Mathers, Cassidy Porteous, Paige Hannaford. Intermediate Showmanship: Madisyn Hart, Bruce Porteous, Emily Scheepers. Senior Showmanship: Kyleigh Jampen, Brandon Scheepers, Calahan Bilmer. Grand Champion Showperson: Kyleigh Jampen; Reserve Champion Showperson: Taylor Mathers; Honourable Mention Showperson: Madisyn Hart. Junior Heifer: Taylor Mathers, Sam Schuler, Makenna Raistrick. Intermediate Heifer: Madisyn Hart, Lucas Menard, Paige Hannaford. Senior Heifer: Kyleigh Jampen, Calahan Bilmer, Cilicia Pol. Summer Yearling: Emily Scheepers, Bruce Porteous, Felicity Porteous. Junior Yearling: Cassidy Porteous, Leah Barkley. Grand Champion 4-H Heifer: Cassidy Porteous; Reserve Champion 4-H Heifer: Taylor Mathers; Honourable Mention 4-H Heifer: Kyleigh Jampen.

Results of the 4-H Beef Achievement Day are as follows: Novice Showmanship: Ava Ried, Joshua Wells, Shyanne Hoy. Junior Showmanship: Brooklin Begg, Caden Holmes, Leah Barkley. Intermediate Showmanship: Morgan MacIntyre, Caitlin Begg. Senior Showmanship: Abby Fess, Liam Banks, Nicole Scott. Grand Champion Showperson: Abby Fess; Reserve Champion Showperson: Morgan MacIntyre; Honourable Mention Showperson: Liam Banks. Heifer Calves: Ava Holmes, Shyanne Hoy and Parker Holmes.

Junior Yearlings: Brooklin Begg, Abby Fess, Nicole Scott. Senior Yearling: Morgan MacIntyre, Liam Banks, Caden Holmes. Champion 4-H Heifer: Brooklin Begg; Reserve Champion 4-H Heifer: Morgan MacIntyre; Honourable Mention 4-H Heifer: Ava Holmes with Hawthorne Bumblebee. Steer Class: Morgan MacIntyre, Meghan Foubert.