Despite weather warnings over the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition's six-day run, the fair had an average turnout for its 125th anniversary.
"We watched the weather forecast very carefully and fortunately, they've been wrong," said fair chair Ralph Scharf, adding even though storms didn't come to pass, weather concerns caused some people to stay home.
Scharf estimates 60,000 people made their way through the gates for the rides, games and food by the time fireworks closed down the CLE on Sunday night. He said nostalgia is what keeps people coming back after all these years.
"I think it's tradition. It's parents, grandma and grandpa brought you here, you bring your children here and so on."
The organizing committee already has changes in mind, including moving the performance trampoline, which was facing the parking lot. Scharf said designated areas for smoking worked well and a full smoking ban is not being considered.
A lot has changed over the last 125 years but moreover, the CLE itself has changed. It has left its agricultural past behind to become what Scharf called a "participating fair," with shows no more than 30 minutes long. Plans take every opportunity to engage patrons, rather than simply entertain.
"We've changed," he said. "The CLE has gone from an agricultural society to, I call it, a midway fair. You have Hymers and you've got Murillo and so on that give added activities that are based on that.
“We don't have any barns anymore. Murillo has their rodeo and other activities. We've shifted and I don't think it will change.
"We're the only large midway operation in Northwestern Ontario and people come here for that."
