Final day

Rides, food and good weather helped to draw in thousands at the annual Canadian Lakehead Exhibition Fair.

Hundreds came early Sunday afternoon to beat the large crowds for the final day of the five-day fair. Many took the time to sample elephant ears, chicken wings and cotton candy as others headed towards their favourite rides.

Harry Fediuk had started on what would be his first elephant ear of the day. He attended the fair with his 11-year-old-son Braeden. The two went on a number of rides but when they went on the see-saw like pirate ship ride, they had to take a break.

“It has been good so far,” Fediuk said. “We came early to make sure we beat the crowds and get on lots of the rides before the crowds come. “

Fediuk has come the fair eight years in a row and he said what keeps him coming back is the opportunity to have a good time with his family.

Melissa Holmquist came to the fair with her seven-year-old-son, one-year-old-daughter, fiancee and her grandmother. She said it was a great time for her children to come out and play but what attracted them the most was seeing the animals.

But that’s not her favourite part of the fair.

“My favourite part is the food,” Holmquist said. “I like everything; the corndogs, the donuts, all of the food.”

Stephen Sagutch came to the fair with his two sons and his girlfriend. He said he had a great time at the fair and particularly enjoyed the bands and live entertainment as well as the rides.

“The lines are go on forever you have to wait a long time to get a ride but the wait is worth it,” Sagutch said. “We have never missed a year. It is well worth the time.”

CLE president Lawrence Timko said the weather helped to bring in more than 60,000 people to the fair since it opened on Wednesday. Over the years, the fair hasn’t changed much but it has become a tradition for families to come each year and spend a day or two at the CLE, he said.

“The fair has been going well and there have been no major concerns,” Timko said. “I’ve been doing this for about 36 years and I think it is a great show and couldn’t be any happier with the turn out.”

The CLE runs until midnight on Sunday. Admission costs $8 for Adults, $5 for children six to 12 and seniors 55 and older. Children 5 and under are free. Ride rickets cost $34.



--- Follow Jeff Labine on Twitter: @Labine_reporter