The Cookshire Agricultural Fair is back August 15 to 19 for its 174th edition. If the 2018 year brought a new brand image for the event, with a revamped logo and website, it is the experience on the ground that will be the target of the organisers in 2019.

“The people who attend have to experience something special,” said Audrey Perron-Breault, who is involved in the organisation. This task is in the hands of the master of ceremonies, among others, who will guide the visitors through the multitude of activities that will be taking place in all four corners of the Fairgrounds.

Among the new additions this year is the arm wrestling competition (see accompanying text), a large tent for country dancing, and an enlarged track for truck pulls.

Programming
On Thursday, the Fair opens with an evening of singing and karaoke performances. On Friday the 16th, the modified small tractor club will be the first to ride the new dirt track in front of the bleachers. In the evening, the country music tent will be inaugurated, led by Manon Lévesque of the Club Danse Country Estrie and with the music of Rodeo Drive, whose singer, Francis Demers, is from Ascot Corner.

During the weekend, the day of Saturday aims to be more brawny, with heavy tractor pulls and arm wrestling competitions. Saturday evening is for dancing, with sessions led by Winslow Dancers. Sunday will offer ideal family fun, with the presence of several mascots, a make-up zone, and parades of the winners of the various competitions.

These many friendly events are the essence of the Fair. As for the animals, many local residents will compete for the podium with their dairy or beef cattle, their horses (both draft and light horses), their flock of goats and sheep, as well as their poultry and rabbits.

The atmosphere will be somewhat more low-key at the Mc Auley Building, which hosts the competitions requiring more dexterity and patience. Crafts, cooking, Christmas decorations, and cut flowers, including bridal bouquets, are just a few examples. The animal events and the Mc Auley competitions are spread out over the four days of the Fair.

For the first time, the Cookshire Fair is offering visitors an online ticketing service to facilitate the purchase of entrance tickets: www.expocookshire.com.