Emily Plihal
Local Journalism
Initiative Reporter
The Smoky River Agricultural Fair is set to return this weekend, and organizers are welcoming people from around the region to participate in all the fun at the Agricultural Fairgrounds in Donnelly.
The event is held every two years in Donnelly, and this year will be hosted on Aug. 16-17.
Smoky River Ag Society member Amanda Hausler says the fair will have a little bit of entertainment for the whole family.
“Our gates open at 9 a.m. both days,” Hausler says.
“Saturday will be the big day with bouncy castles, rock climbing, a plant swap, tractor show and shine, and so much more,” she adds.
Hausler says Heiling Reins therapy will be on hand from 2-4 p.m. with horse painting and there will also be beer gardens open at noon and a farm safety demonstration with three shows throughout the day.
“People should come because it’s affordable family-fun focused on our community’s agricultural background,” she says.
New this year is a tractor show and shine for local farmers to show off their antique, new or exciting equipment.
“We added the tractor show and shine to help retain the agricultural focus,” says Hausler.
“It is not a prize competition. Fully restored tractors are great to see, and we wanted to bring attention to the farmers and ranchers still using the older machinery for everyday chores. The show and shine is simply to show what we’ve got in the area.”
The show and shine will be on Aug. 16. Hausler says the tractors can show up any time, but she prefers if they register beforehand, so she knows who and what to expect in the exhibit. If you’d like to register your tractor for the show and shine, Hausler says you can phone or text her at (780) 864-9228.
Directions to the show and shine will be given at the admission gate.
Sunday will also have a free pancake breakfast hosted by Royal Purple from 9 a.m. until noon at the food booth on the agricultural grounds.
Smoky River Agricultural Society president Linda Marcoux says the ag fair has a rich history in the region and its return is much to the delight of people in the area.
“We’ve been a society since 1931, and the ag fair was held every year for decades,” says Marcoux, noting that the fair is a part of the region’s history that they’re trying to keep alive.
“We’ve now switched to every other year, because we have fewer volunteers to help run the fair.”
Also being held in conjunction with the agricultural fair is the Smoky River Mud Bogs taking place all weekend in the Agricultural Fair- grounds.
“This is such a great opportunity to have a day or weekend out with family and friends, watch some trucks, and have some great food,” says mud bogs organizer Karlee Turcotte.
“The mud bogs are such an important part of the ag fair. The fair and the mud bogs are both about community involvement and providing time for people to spend with their families and neighbours.”
Turcotte says they will accept registration until 10 a.m. on Aug. 16 at the fair. Categories are 100 Stock, 200 Stock, 400 Mod Stock, 450 Pro stock, 500 modified, 600 super modified, 750 pro modified and 800 unlimited. They will also have a Junior Class and one for all-terrain vehicles.
Marcoux says the entire weekend will be a great chance for people of all ages to experience activities they like to participate in.
“I hope people choose to come out because this is a fun community activity and we don’t have that many in our region through the summer,” Marcoux says.
“It’s a great chance to see people and have a chance to network.”