For the next four days, the world will be coming to Flamborough.
The 172nd Rockton World’s Fair kicks off at 4 p.m. Friday and, as per tradition, runs right through Thanksgiving weekend, till the gates close Monday at 5 p.m.
The theme for this year’s fair is “Cultivate Joy - Harvest Memories” - something the local community has been doing at the event since it launched in 1852. The quiet hamlet transforms into a hive of activity with Campbell’s Amusements midway rides and games, tons of festival food on offer, agricultural exhibits and interactive activities, live music and much, much more.
In addition to the shows and displays, visitors can sign up for the pie eating contest, Karaoke, the spelling bee, pet show, scavenger hunt and pedal tractor rides.
Rockton Fair Ambassador Mckenna Stephens will be on site for the whole thing, and says the weekend is special for her family .
“My favourite part of the fair is honestly spending the time with my family, as it's a huge tradition for my entire family and extended family to come here and not only volunteer, but enjoy all of the fair,” she told FlamboroughToday. “I spend a lot of my time in the agricultural buildings, traditionally, as my family shows both beef and dairy."
Stephens notes she does have a soft spot for one event, in particular.
“My ultimate favourite is the demolition derby,” she said. “I'm a sucker for the cold nights, but the fun, exciting entertainment, just the fun and how rowdy the crowd gets, it gets really it makes kind of like a fun, memorable moment.
“And we have three nights of it, so it's quite intense. It's Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening. So we definitely have a good amount of demolition derby.”
Stephens is looking forward to greeting guests in the popular Ag Alive tent, where there will be a new feature this year.
“There's an ambassador booth that is set up as a photo area for people to take photos so they can post them,” she said.”Also, there's info cards there to learn more about the program in general.”
On Saturday, she’ll be welcoming the CNE Ambassador Hannah McDonald who is visiting from Ripley, Ont., and invites visitors to stop by and say hi.
“She will be coming and spending the day with me, so you can definitely look out for her, and everyone's welcome to come up to me and her and ask questions or take photos or whatever they'd like to do,” said Stephens.
Also new this year: HSR buses will be providing a free shuttle service. The shuttle starts in downtown Hamilton and has stops in Dundas and Greensville.
It will be a busy weekend for Stephens and the hundreds of Rockton Agricultural Society volunteers who work all year to make the fair happen - but she’s excited to share it with the world.
“It's honestly my favourite fair,” she said. “I go to ample amounts of affairs every year, but this is truly my favourite. I might be a little biased.”
To view the Rockton World’s Fair schedule of events, view ticket pricing or see the HSR shuttle bus schedule, visit the fair website at rocktonworldsfair.com.
