Port Perry Fair brings a little bit of everything to Labour Day weekend

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard

SCUGOG: The sound of engines roaring, the midway coming to life, and the unmistakable buzz of a late-summer fair will soon fill the air in Port Perry.

However, this year, the Port Perry Fair is getting started a little earlier.

For the first time, the Fair is adding a Friday night concert to its Labour Day weekend festivities, bringing country music stars 'the James Barker Band' to town, with special guest Robyn Ottolini, on Friday, September 4th.

Tickets, for the kickoff concert, are $45, giving fairgoers an opportunity to start their long weekend with live music, before the gates officially open on the traditional three-day Fair.

From Saturday through Monday, the Port Perry Fair will return with the sights, sounds, and traditions which have made it a fixture on the local calendar, from livestock and homecraft competitions to tractor pulls, rodeo action, midway rides, and the ever-popular demolition derby.

While the Fair continues to celebrate its agricultural roots, the entertainment lineup has plenty to offer those simply looking for a good time over the holiday weekend.

Sunday night will once again feature free live music with paid admission to the Fair. Janetville’s Brodie Bell, fresh off his recent appearance at the Blackstock Fair, will take the stage, at 8 p.m., followed by Tyler Lorette, at 9 p.m.

Mr. Lorette comes to Port Perry following a memorable year in Ontario country music. Earlier this year, he and Jessica Sevier made history when they shared the Breakthrough Artist of the Year award, at the Country Music Association of Ontario awards, which was the first-ever tie for the honour in CMA Ontario history.

Saturday, September 5th, will officially open the Fair at 11 a.m., as the gates and midway get underway alongside a vintage tractor display.

The vintage tractors will also have their moment in the spotlight, with a parade, scheduled just before the Truck & Tractor Pull.

There will be plenty of horsepower on display throughout the day. The Lawn Tractor Pull begins at 11:15 a.m., while the FMX Motocross Show takes to the grounds at 11:15 a.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4 p.m.

The Canine Circus will provide a different kind of spectacle, with performances at 12:30, 2, and 3:15 p.m.

The beer tent opens at 1 p.m., while the Home Craft and Junior Fair opens at 4 p.m.

Fair organizers have also moved the start time for the Truck & Tractor Pull this year, as the competition begins at 4:30 p.m.

Under the Entertainment Shelter, visitors can catch the Outback Cloggers, watch the Anne Marie Taillon Baking Contest judging, take part in Ron Cross's Interactive Drumming Workshop, and hear the Ferrport Jazz Ensemble.

Sunday, September 6th, begins early, as the gates and Home Craft/Junior Fair open at 9:30 a.m. and the midway opens at 10 a.m.

The agricultural program takes centre stage through much of the day, beginning with the 4-H Beef Show Commercial Beef Class, at 11 a.m., followed by the Beef Cattle Show and 4-H Dairy Show at noon. The 4-H Dairy Show continues, at 1 p.m., while the Beef Auction is scheduled for 4 p.m.

The afternoon also features FMX Motocross Show performances at noon, 3 p.m., and 5:30 p.m., along with Canine Circus performances at 1, 2:30, and 4 p.m.

The Entertainment Shelter will remain busy with performances from the Outback Cloggers, Tim the Puppet Tamer, and The Wanted.

Then, as the afternoon gives way to evening, the Fairgrounds will become the scene of one of the weekend's biggest spectacles, the Demolition Derby, at 6 p.m.

Once the dust settles, the focus shifts to the stage, as Brodie Bell opens the Sunday night concert, at 8 p.m., followed by Tyler Lorette at 9 p.m.

Monday, September 7th, will wrap up the weekend with another full day of agricultural competition, entertainment, and Fair favourites.

The morning gets an extra boost, this year, with a new pancake breakfast, hosted by Brass Inc. in the beer tent. Rodeo overflow classes begin at 8 a.m., followed by: the opening of the Home Craft and Junior Fair, Junior Dairy Show, and Heavy Horse Show at 9:30 a.m.

The Ontario County Holstein Show begins at 10 a.m., when the midway also opens.

The Pet Show follows, at 11 a.m., before the Extreme Rodeo takes centre stage at 11:45 a.m.

The final afternoon will feature: the Women's Baking Contest, at noon; Fiddle Contest, at 1 p.m. and Horse Pulling Competition at 2:30 p.m.

The Home Craft and Junior Fair closes at 4 p.m., while the beer tent and Fair close at 5 p.m. Exhibits and prize money can be picked up beginning at 5:30 p.m.

For generations of families, the Port Perry Fair has been part of: the unofficial rhythm of summer's end; a chance to see neighbours; support local agriculture; take in a few midway rides; and squeeze one more big weekend of fun out of the season, before the new school year starts on Tuesday morning.

This year, that tradition gets an extra day of music.

With the James Barker Band and Robyn Ottolini kicking things off, Friday, a full day of Fair attractions, Saturday, agricultural competition and a demolition derby, Sunday, and rodeo, horse pulls and other traditional favourites, Monday, the Port Perry Fair is set to send summer out with plenty of noise, horsepower and country spirit.