The parade of horse carriages is an event appreciated by all.
From August 18 to 21, the Cookshire Agricultural Fair will be in full swing with a host of activities throughout the weekend. It is one of the oldest fairs in Quebec; it has been happening since 1845. Now, after two years when health measures linked to the pandemic put a brake on the festivities, it is making a comeback. This year will therefore be the 175th edition of this tradition in the Haut-Saint-François.
The traditional style of this festival allows visitors to spend time with the animals who are the pride of their owners, to attend the various competitions, to learn more about new agricultural technologies, to attend colourful shows, to have fun, and discover local products, as well as meeting people who are passionate about the farming community.
The organizers hope to have as many visitors as possible on their site during the weekend of the exhibition. According to Brandon Ward, the president, the weekend should be colourful and offer some pleasant surprises for festival-goers. “If we trust what we see in the media about the resumption of cultural and festive activities throughout Quebec and in the HSF, the same enthusiasm should be seen on the site of the agricultural exhibition. People want to go out and live and have fun. »
Program
The festivities will begin on Thursday, August 18, at 4 p.m. with the opening of the family zone. For the first evening, visitors will be able to attend an amateur wrestling gala, which happens to be a new feature of the fair, as well as the 4-H young farmers expertise competition. A bingo game will also be at the Mc Auley Centre.
The fair will continue Friday morning with judging competitions in several categories such as light horses, draft horses with halters, small animals, sheep and goats, as well as an equestrian competition. Enthusiasts can also attend the parade of young farmers and the harnessing of draft horses. Tractor pulls and 4x4s with the Association Sportive de Tire de Tracteurs du Québec (ASTTQ) should begin around 7:30 p.m. in front of the main stage, while fans of country dancing can take part in a dance workshop with the Winslow Dancers in the Winslow tent. At the Mc Auley Centre, starting at 9 p.m., an evening of dancing with Queen Street will close this busy day.
When the site opens at 9 a.m., Saturday will also be busy with equestrian competitions and the judging of beef cattle and dairy cattle. Registration for the arm-wrestling competition will take place in the morning while the activity itself will take place in the afternoon, with several cash prizes to be won. It will be the day to see the truck pulls, which will take place in front of the main stage. From 7 p.m. to midnight, the Winslow Dancers will have visitors dancing to the rhythms of country music, while the truck-pulling competition takes place. At the Mc Auley Centre, Movin’on will get festival-goers dancing, starting at 9 p.m.
Sunday will be a tailor-made family event with the presence of several mascots, a make-up area and parades of the winners of the various competitions. Also new this year is a Mexican fiesta with foreign workers in the Winslow tent at 1 p.m. Light draft horses in teams of 4 or 6 will parade in the afternoon, and at 6 p.m. will begin horse pulls with the Club du fer à cheval du Québec.