THUNDER BAY— The Oliver Agricultural Society’s Murillo Fair returned for its 135th year this weekend.
The fair featured animal exhibits, carnival rides and games, a kids’ area, lawn mower races, food vendors, local business stalls and many other exhibitions at the Murillo Fairgrounds.
For its second day, the fair also held a cow show, as well as saw the appearance of fast-paced horse barrel racing and the horse Gymkhana in the show ring.
Markus Arsenealt, who was attending the fair on Saturday, came for his third year with his wife, Gess, 15-month-old son, Maxson, and three-year-old daughter, Junna.
“We’ve gone pretty consistently and always enjoyed it. So, we’re excited,” Arsenealt said.
Having walked in before the rides started, Arsenealt said they thought it was good to see the horses and take a look at the other festival activities, including prizes and shopping.
As parents, he said his wife and his favourite part of the fair was “just seeing the kids enjoying themselves.”
“Going last year, we went on the rides with them and so I’m excited to go on the rides with them again this year,” Arsenealt said.
While Junna was about half a thumb too short to go on the alligator roller coaster last year and has asked all this year if she would be big enough, Arsenealt added that they believed this year she would be.
When asked if she was excited for the alligator ride, Junna said “yeah” and thought it would be “fast.”
She added that she also plans to go on the Ferris Wheel.
With kids, they’re always expanding and experiencing new things with them, Arsenealt said, so it’s always a good time.
However, his kids were not alone in taking in the new experiences.
“I know with my wife, she’s from Taiwan, and so cowboys are exotic for her,” Arsenealt continued.
“So, it’s always an enjoyment just to see them, how they handle the animals, when they bring out the cows, when they bring out the horses (and) even when they bring out the derby stuff.”
Markus, Gess, Maxson and Junna were only some of the thousands of visitors organizers expected to stop by the fair this weekend.
Lindsay Kosolowski, Oliver Agricultural Society’s president, said they saw about 2000 people on Friday and Saturday was usually the busier day.
“We’ll probably see the bulk of our visitors, probably about (5,000) or 6000 people, and then Sunday we’ll see probably about 3000 more,” Kosolowski said.
For festivities, Kosolowski said that visitors can see all the schedules, if there’s something specific they want to see, on their Facebook page and website.
She added that there will also be live music and activities happening in the children’s area that are free.
“You can get ride tickets once you’re inside the gate. You get tickets from Canuck Amusements at their booth,” Kosolowski said.
For those attending the fair, Kosolowski said it is important to note that parking is off of Poleline Road.
