HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2004-09-16, Page 1NI-I
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Fair ambassador
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Angels donate to
playground
2 pages of
Reunion highlights
Home party
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for woman
Popular performers 2
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e Citizen
Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County
Volume 20 No. 36 Thursday, Sept. 16, 2004 $1 (93c + 7c GST)
So much to see
While enjoying the plowing demonstration at the 43rd annual Thresher Reunion in Blyth this
past weekend, Noel Laporte takes a second to point out the camera for his daughter Adella
Organizers enjoyed another successful weekend with great weather, an excellent turnout and
no mishaps. (Elyse DeBruyn photo)
Alberta
cattleman
comes to
Brussels
Rick Pascal, the leader of the
Canadian Cattlemen for Fair Trade,
is going to be speaking at Brussels
Livestock, Monday, Sept. 20 a 8
p.m. _
The Alberta -group has initiated a
laws-tilt against the American
government over the closed border
to Canadian beef. Pascal's stop in
Brussels is one of a series in Ontario.
The other meetings are at
Cookstown and Renfrew.
According to Ross Procter. of the
Brussels area, the purpose is to have
Pascal explain the details behind the
suit and what if anything Ontario
producers can do.
Anyone concerned about the BSE
crisis is urged to attend.
By Elyse DeBruyn
Citizen staff
Happy faces, full tummies and a
weekend of perfect weather made
the 43rd annual Huron Pioneer
Thresher Reunion another great
success.
If you drove down County Rd. 25
during the weekend, you would see
the outstanding number of trailers
that lined the Blyth campgrounds.
Association president Paul Josling
said there were about 1,105 campers
registered at the Blyth campgrounds
for the duration weekend.
"It was a super weekend with an
excellent turnout. We're really
pleased with the response," said
Josling.
Marian Hallahan, Association
secretary, said although she didn't
have exact numbers at press time,
attendance on Friday was up from
last year, Saturday's attendance was
about the same, but numbers were
down on Sunday.
"Other than that it was a
tremendous weekend. It went over
really7really well," said Hallahan.
She said there were visitors from
Florida, New Brunswick,
Newfoundland, Michigan ,and a few
from out west.
"I talked to some people from
New Brunswick and they thought it
(the Threshers) was awesome. They
were blown away," she said.
She also said the crafters, both
inside and outside the arena, did
"very well, more than they ever
expected."
One of the many new attractions
was performances by the Twilight
Serenaders, which Hallahan said
was a big hit.
"On Friday it wasn't well
attended, but Saturday night it was
packed. A lot of people were
commenting on it."
Another new attraction that turned
out to be a big hit was the
Skyharbour Modellers.
"It was well received too.
Next year they are going to try to
get an area off the grounds to
do a flying demonstration," said
Hallahan.
Unfortunately, the model planes
had spooked the horses and dogs,
which prohibited the pilots from
doing any demonstrations this year.
Hallahan said there were 22 steam
engines at the Reunion this year.
Other events that she said did very
well were the church service on
Sunday morning, yard sales
throughout Blyth and the dances on
both Friday and Saturday nights.
Every year a big crowd gathers at
the Blyth Fire Hall to devour the
delicious breakfast served by the
firefighters and this was no
different,
Josling, who is also fire chief, said
the turnout was "really good" as
about 1,800 visitors enjoyed
sausage, bacon and pancakes
covered in sweet maple syrup.
"We served about 240 lbs. of
pancake batter, 320 lbs. of back
bacon, 520 lbs. of sausage and 80
gallons of orange juice,". said
Josling.
He said they were also serving
about 120 cups of coffee every 20
minutes.
For the corn roast this year,
Hallahan said ,instead of having a
steam engine cook the corn, they
brought over the steam shovel,
which on Saturday night cooked 70
dozen cobs and there were still
people who didn't get any.
"It was the first time we did it with
the antique steam shovel. It was
great," she said.
She mentioned that the Friday .
night fish fry served about 536 fish
dinners.
"Over all it was a good, good
weekend. The weather was great, the
music was awesome and there were
no mishaps," said Hallahan.
Fair
opens
Tuesday
The I 43rd Brussels Fall Fair
opens on Tuesday night. Sept. 21 at
7 p.m. Family Day is Wednesday,
beginning with the parade at 11 a.m.
Immediately following the
opening ceremonies on Tuesday
evening, the Green Acres Mayor's
Challenge will take place. Teams of
four will participate in four fun-
filled events to determine who is the
best representative of the fair's
theme of Green Acres. Each team
will have a unique name to describe
itself and bonus points will be given
for costumes .depicting the Green
Acres theme.
At press time there were eight
teams registered to enter the
competition.
This year, for a change of pace,
fair directors are holding a silent
auction in place of the pie auction,
with items contributed by volunteers
and supporters. A wide variety of
objects is offered and the auction
will go on Tuesday evening as well
as Wednesday until 2:30 p.m. when
the winners will be
Some of the items gathered
together include a night at a bed and
breakfast, a travel set, half a bushel
of apples, collectors' plates, stained
glass, garden ornaments, framed
photography, dinner for four, dinner
for six, and maybe a pie or two.
Some of the auction items are on
display at Sholdice Insurance before
the fair.
Wednesday's Family Day
activities- this year will feature
Jimbo the Clown and his helpers
who will da face painting, balloon
shapes and a music and magic show,
beginning at noon. The tractor pull
for kids begins at 2 p.m.. and
Workman pony rides will also be out
at the back of the arena. At the cattle
shed, the sheep show begins at noon
followed by the Little Folks Calf
Show and the 4-H Beef Club
competition.
Tuesday night and Wednesday
there will be a food booth with all
the regular fare, and of course,
homemade pies contributed by
many Brussels bakers. As always,
donations of pies will be gratefully
accepted.
Funland Amusements will provide
the midway this year.
In the main hall much local talent
will be' on display with eye-catching
quilts, knitting and crocheting,
hobby crafts, art and photography as
well as children's work in both the
school and junior sections. The
baking and canning displays always
draw a crowd, and in the arena there
is the eye-catching exhibition of
flowers, fruits and vegetables, grains
and forage crops.
This year's fair expenses have
been offset by donations from
regular contributors to the fair, and
in particular, by generous
contributions from the Brussels
Lions, the Brussels Optimist Club
and the CIBC. All donors will be
recognized on display boards at the
fair.
43rd Reunion deemed a big success