Labour Day weekend, September 2 and 3, 2012

Welcome
The village of Hymers, close to Thunder Bay, Ontario, hosts every year a true classic Country Fair.
This is the place to see the biggest pumpkins grown locally, horse and cattle shows, and to chat with the friendly people that come out each year to enjoy the real atmosphere of country living in Canada.

Next Monthly Meeting Monthly Meetings are usually held every 4th Wednesday of each month. Our Annual General Meeting will be on Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at the Rural 60 Plus. All members are invited and encouraged to attend.

The Prize List A team has worked hard since the 2011 fair to compile an advance prize book for 2012 so that exhibitors will have access to the upcoming list earlier than previous years. The prize list is available now!

Looking back at the Hymers Fall Fair 2011
The 2011 Hymers Fall Fair was a great success. Preparation for the fair began as soon as the snow was gone. Buildings were repaired and painted, new boards installed on the horse ring and in the animal enclosures, the grounds tidied up and even a few trees were planted.
Even though Sunday's weather was at times less than desirable, people stayed finding shelter under trees and in buildings while we had the occasional rain shower.
Monday brought much better weather and more visitors.
There were craft demonstrations, vendor booths and horse and cattle shows to enjoy. The traditional beef and turkey dinners were very popular, as usual. Many visitors purchased maple syrup, crafts or local flour at the country market, had an elephant ear and looked at the crafts, baking, flowers and veggies that were judged and displayed.
The kids got to try out a police cruiser, enjoyed painting wooden ornaments and visiting all the animals.
Young and old enjoyed the musical talents of local artists and visited with friends and family.
Hymers Fall Fair remains the true Country Fair it has been for almost 100 years!

100th anniversary
2012 is a momentous year for us: the 100th year of the Hymers Fall Fair! The theme of the fair is "Celebrate". Throughout the year special events will be held leading up to the fair: the 100th Anniversary Committee has all kinds of plans!
During the fair, there will be displays of past fairs and a special 100th Anniversary category for the many exhibitors. The wood carvers are working on a "100th Anniversary Quilt" that will be on display. The "Big Book" is being updated and restored and will be on display as well. Although not finalized, more specialty things will be happening that are connected with the fair as it was 100 years ago. We are hoping to have a parade to open the fair with dignitaries from the past and present participating.
Watch for the latest news about our anniversary in the new year.

Admission:
$5.00 adults, $3.00 seniors, children under 12: $3.00 (or children under 12 are free with a zucchini or sunflower, which can be entered into contests on the Hilltop stage), and children 6 and under free.

Hours
Sunday: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Catch the Hymers Fair Bus
A special bus can bring you for an afternoon to the Hymers Fall Fair. Call for reservations!
Pickup locations are:

• County Fair Plaza @ 11:00 AM
• The Community Auditorium @ 11:15 AM
• Thunder Bay Mall @ 11:30 AM

Commemorative Benches or Picnic Tables
Do you want to mark the birth of a child/grandchild or highlight that special birthday?
Having trouble finding a unique wedding or anniversary gift?
Would you like a special way to honour a loved one who has passed away?
Donating a bench or picnic table to Hymers Agricultural Society is the perfect solution for all of these occasions! Placed around the Hymers Fair Grounds during fair weekend, the benches and picnic tables, complete with a plaque, will provide a comfortable, relaxing place for visitors while acknowledging your ongoing thoughtfulness.

The cost of a bench or table is $350.00.

For further details, please call Sandra Mazur at 577-9667 or by email.

100th anniversary coming up
Our 100th anniversary is coming up in 2012 If you have any photos or artifacts of Hymers Fairs from many years back, we are interested. Just e-mail us at lindat@tbaytel.net and we will get back to you!

Your Opinion Counts

We like to hear your opinion! Are you a member of the Hymers Fair? Please click here to take part in our on-line survey!

What was going on in 2011 Sunday, September 4 starting at 1:00 p.m.: Deep Pit Barbeque Beef Dinner Monday, September 5 starting at 1:00 p.m.: Home Cooked Turkey Dinner Donations Greatly Appreciated Hymers Agricultual Society will be holding a Silent Auction on Sunday, September 4 and Monday, September 5. If you are a local artisan / crafter or you have new, unused items at home and wish to donate something, please contact us at info@hymersfair.com or 475-8586. Baby Photo Contest Submit one 4x6" amateur photo of your child born between September 1, 2009 and August 31, 2011 to win some awesome prizes. See page 87 of our prize book for complete details. Teddies for Tragedies Knit or crochet a Teddy Bear which can be entered into Class K and then we will donate them to a local Emergency organization (Police, Fire) to be given to children in need. See patterns on pages 51 and 52 of our prize book. 2011 Sponsors Many thanks go out to our Sponsors who donate cash, merchandise or advertise in our prize book. Please support their businesses as they continuously support us. See a complete list of these generous sponsors on page 90 of our prize book. "Coin" Pool Thunder Bay Farmer's Co-Op will be hosting a swimming pool full of loonies, quarters, dimes and nickels for "kids" ages 9 and up to go "swimming" for. Contest runs Monday, September 5 only. Registrants will be accepted early in the day with names being drawn throughout the afternoon. Contestants will have 30 seconds in the pool to collect as many coins as possible - YOU WILL GET WET! Become a vendor! Without a midway or beer garden, we find that the guests at the fair take the time to view the vendor booths and take advantage of the leisurely pace to talk to exhibitors. It is an unhurried time where people of all ages find something of interest. Perhaps this year, what will interest them the most, is your display! Sign up to be a vendor this year by downloading our sign-up form in PDF format.