It’s time once again for one of Northumberland County’s most cherished fall traditions — the Roseneath Agricultural Fair.
The annual fair kicks off Friday afternoon at 5 p.m. and runs through Sunday afternoon. This year marks the 156th year, making it one of the longest-running events in county history.
Kyle Waldie is one of the directors of the fair, and he says the festivities kick off Friday night with the truck and tractor pull. That extends into Saturday, with a fan favourite — the demolition derby.
One of the more prominent events takes place Sunday morning — the horse pull. Waldie says the fair had modest beginnings back in the mid-1800s, when it was a great deal smaller than it is today.
The present-day Agricultural Society traces the fair’s formal records to 1869, when the organization was established as the Alnwick Agricultural Society. Forty-nine local residents signed the founding agreement, with the membership fee set at one dollar. The first officers included James Yule as president, James Campbell as vice-president, John Harstone as treasurer and Francis Cormack as secretary.
Waldie says that, by and large, the fair remains fairly constant from year to year, providing the fan favourites that so many people enjoy. But there is one new addition this year worth noting — bunnies.
Admission to the grounds is $15 for adults, and kids under 12 are free. Come on out and be a part of more than 156 years of tradition.
(Written By: Richard Evans)
