For the Cookshire Fair, 2018 is a pivotal year. The event has more than a century under its belt, but is updating its image and incorporating new activities, such as mini-tractor pulls and power saw sculptures.
“Everything that you see and perceive at the Fair is different this year.” Those are the words of Nicolas Lachance of the organizing committee, summarizing the extent of the changes coming to the Cookshire Fair in 2018.
First of all, the event has a refreshed and rejuvenated image. A new logo and a new website have been unveiled to the public and put online. Among the attractions on the ground, an agri-food pavilion will promote local and Quebec products. Visitors can taste delicacies and gather together around bistro tables.

The machine pulls will have a new feature, mini-tractors, which are modified lawn tractors equipped with motorcycle engines. In the animal competitions, the expertise of youth will contribute to the judging for certain classes. That is, the jury for certain competitions on Thursday and Friday, August 16 and 17, will include members of the 4-H club, whose mission is to develop the interest and the competence of youth in nature, forests and the environment through educational and leisure activities. In addition, a new breed, long-haired Highland cattle, will make its entrance in the judging competitions this year.

Throughout the four days of the Fair, a number of activities will take place for the first time. On the opening evening, Thursday, a karaoke contest will let listeners discover some of the best vocal talents in the area. The next day, a Christmas tree contest will permit amateur lumberjacks to compete in sculpting logs with a power saw. Inside the main building, demonstrations of floral arrangements and Christmas ornaments will be offered. On Saturday evening, a country/pop dance workshop will attract music enthusiasts, followed by the main shows of truck pulls and the Slightly Haggard music group.