There was a steady stream of youngsters eager to try to make their way up a rope ladder and win an oversized stuffy. The climb wasn’t as easy as it seemed but provided some fun for spectators and participants alike. Thompson Goddard Photo

RUSSELL – There was plenty to see and do during the 2022 Russell Fair, with agricultural displays, horse, cattle, and sheep shows as well as a midway full of rides, games, and food vendors. For over 160 years, this event, organized by the Russell Agricultural Society, has harvested the excitement, and provided visitors with an opportunity to have fun while learning about local agriculture.

There were smiles all around as visitors to the event made their way to various buildings, the midway and the various entertainment areas. There was the opportunity to purchase a gift for someone or perhaps yourself from one of the several onsite vendors, visit displays of items entered in the culinary arts, handcraft and field crop competitions or just enjoy some time resting and having a snack in the curling club building.

Throughout the fair, there were presentations from Super Dogs, Magic Marvin, Meet the Keepers as well as a petting zoo and sheep shearing display. For those interested in agriculture, there was the opportunity to watch the various competitions or visit the agricultural education tent. Entertainment highlights included the sold-out Dean Brody show as well as the ever-popular truck and tractor pulls and demo derby.

The Russell Fair is a tradition in Eastern Ontario.

Mhairi Rowland the president of the Russell Agricultural Society, the organizers of the fair said, “We’re back.”

Rowland said there are 17 people on the board and organizing the fair was a great deal of work, but it was worth it.

She noted that they had 2,500 people for the Dean Brody concert, which was well received.

“This was the first time we had a three-day fair, and it is the first time with our new date,” she said.

The fair used to be held in September not August.

“The midway could not come in September, so we moved the fair to August.”