Nothing compares to the feeling in the pit of your stomach as you are twisted and turned around and around, especially when your friends are there with you. Tinkess Photo

METCALFE – There is no question that in the current economy budgets are being tightened and expectations have had to be tempered somewhat. You see it everywhere, and the many county fairs in this area are no exception. Admission fees have had to be adjusted, and some of the more “extreme” rides have not made an appearance. In Metcalfe, however, changes have been minor, and don’t seem to have had any effect of the enjoyment factor fairgoers were able to experience. Judging by the number of cars in the overflow parking field, I’d say the 170 version of the Metcalfe Fair received two thumbs up!

The fair is located on 24 acres of land just south of the village of Metcalfe, and it has been held every year since 1856. It is a fair that has kept up with the times, but also knows it’s audience, providing a mixture of agricultural exhibits in keeping with it’s farming background, while at the same time providing what is in demand today: Tractor pulls, a demolition derby, garden tractor pull, lots of fast food, and plenty of free entertainment.

If you came for the livestock, depending on which day you attended you could choose from the Open Sheep Show, Heavy and Light Horse competitions, the Peewee Dairy show, 4-H Dairy Showmanship, 4-H Eastern Regional Championship Beef Heifer Show, the Open Beef Cattle Show, or the Six Horse Hitch. There was also ongoing access to the petting zoo, and multiple shows by the Meet the Keepers Wildlife Rescue, and pony rides, among other activities.

Homecraft never fails to impress, both with the number of entries, but also with the level of skill displayed by the participants. You could spend a better part of the day exploring and taking note of the creativity displayed by all age groups.

If you were there to try and raise your pulse rate, then there were rides available for people of all ages, from toddlers to those who probably should know better, but who still remember the thrill that comes from being turned upside down, at high speed and high above the ground. A ride in the Ferris wheel provided a great opportunity to see the entire fair from a single, high vantage point.

Food, all I can say is that there was a lot to choose from, some of it actually healthy (but it’s a fair; where would the fun be in that?) and lines weren’t too long and moved quickly.

The antique tractors are always a popular part of the fair and Eastern Ontario Vintage Iron and Traditions were on hand along with others, showing and discussing the various implements of husbandry that have survived for so long and can still get the job done and will continue to do so for many years to come. Whatever your favourite, John Deere, Allis-Chalmers, Cockshutt, Oliver, Minneapolis-Moline, or many more, you could probably find a well-maintained or perfectly restored example at the Metcalfe Fair.

As always there were plenty of information booths on site as well. The Ottawa Fire Department was there with a ladder truck on Sunday and were always willing to chat. Carleton MPP George Darouze was making the rounds, speaking with constituents, as was Osgoode ward Councillor Isabelle Skalski. Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe had an information tent and stopped in over the weekend (he does have a lot of ground to cover in this election year.)

Next year will be year 171 for the Metcalfe Fair, and they are already promoting the event at metcalfefair.com. 171 years is a long time, but the fair and it’s organizers and fans don’t show any indication of slowing down.