Hymers fair turns 99

There were plenty of activities available for the thousands that attended the 99th annual Hymers Fall Fair over the long weekend.

The two-day event, which started on Sunday, had thousands brave the cooler weather to watch the horse show, sample some local foods at the farmer’s market and enjoy some live entertainment.  

The cloudy sky and cold weather forced Terry Garrity and his wife, Coreen to cut their visit to the fair short but despite the shorten stay he said it was worth coming to.

He said they always enjoyed coming out to the fair because it had a good country feel to it.

“We come every two or three years as an outing,” Garrity said. “I like to see all the exhibits, the animals and everything else they got here. It’s a typical country fair and that’s what we like.”

Garrity stayed long enough to see some of the horse competitions.

Diane Ruzycki, 23, competed with her horse Chewbaka, the only Fjord at the competition. Ruzycki has ridden horses since she was four-years-old and said riding is a team sport between her and her horse.

While the pair was ready to give it their all at the competition, she said the Hymers fair was mostly just for fun.

“It can be pretty competitive but it is more fun than anything,” Ruzycki said. “It’s fun to have a Fjord because everyone thinks he’s unique. Everyone loves him because he’s different.”

Sandra Mazur, president of the Hymers Agricultural Society, said while the turnout was slow when the fair first started, she expected more than 9,000 people to attend over the weekend.

With one year away from the 100th anniversary, Mazur said they have plans in motion to make the centennial celebration a day to remember.

“We do have events planned that will be historical and we’re looking to see what we can bring back,” Mazur said. “A lot of our vendors are going to dress up in period costumes and want to do special things for the 100th anniversary. We`re going to keep it all under wraps for a little bit but we’re working on it already.”

The Hymers Fall Fair wraps up on Monday at 5 p.m. Shuttle buses are available at County Fair Plaza at 11 a.m., Thunder Bay Community Auditorium at 11:15 a.m. and Arthur Street Marketplace at 11:35 a.m. Cost to ride the bus is $5 for a round trip.

Admission to the fairgrounds is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and children 12 and under or free with a zucchini or sunflower and free for children under six years old.