WILLIAMSTOWN, Ontario — From Friday, Aug. 10 to Sunday, Aug. 12, festivalgoers are expected to flood the quaint streets of Williamstown for the annual return of the Williamstown Fair.
“All indications suggest we will have our normal, large crowd,” said Ron Eamer, a fair board member.
Drawing a number of people from Ottawa, Montreal, Kingston and N.Y., the fair continually prides itself on being a heritage fair with a family friendly atmosphere.
“We find that a lot of people come home to Williamstown,” said Eamer. “People who have moved away and live away, the children’s families all come home for the fair because it’s a great place to meet your family and friends, and enjoy the weekend.”
According to Eamer, there will be continuous music and entertainment on two stages throughout the fair. This includes a lineup of local bands, like Bang On The Ear, Kilts, Riffs and Spurs, and the Quigley Highlanders Pipes and Drums.
“There’s plenty of food, entertainment and music of all kinds,” said Eamer. “New this year of course is our inflatable midway, with 17 attractions for toddlers to adults. Daily bracelets for unlimited use of these amusements is only $15 per day, per bracelet. That’s half the price of the regular midway, which should be of interest to parents.”
Along with new rides, there will also be new food vendors this year. On Friday night, the second annual Teen Dance, which is organized by Junior Directors on the fair board, is suspected to be a popular attraction, with live music provided by a DJ.
Eamer said the fair focuses primarily on aspects of the community’s agricultural roots, but also has many attractions for attendees from the city.
The Board of Directors includes over 30 participants, and the weekend of the fair sees over 200 volunteers to make the event possible.
“It’s a 12-month commitment to put a fair on,” said Eamer. “It’s a commitment on the part of a lot of people. And we are very, very fortunate that the entire community and the Williamstown area is highly supportive of the event.”
“We are very fortunate to have a beautiful and attractive fairgrounds set in a historical community, in the community of Williamstown,” he added.
As of Aug. 1, weekend passes will cost $25. Daily passes will cost $12 at the gate.
For more information, visit www.williamstownfair.ca or the fair’s Facebook page.
