Maryfield Agricultural Fair is celebrating its 97th year on Thursday, July 28, and according to event organizer Freda Hill, there are some very special attractions coming to the event for the first time.
"The whip cracker should be a good attraction" said Hill, speaking of young Melissa Saunders from Borden. "We saw her in the Western Producer, and my husband is involved in Lions and she was doing public speaking, and I found out who she was. She has a whole hour and I hope we can talk her into practising before the event as well."
Whip cracking is the art of producing a cracking noise, when part of a whip travels faster than the speed of sound and a sonic boom results. In Bavaria "whip snapping" is a traditional sport, and in Australia it has become both a competitive sport and performance art. Competitions are very popular "down under" and demonstrations involve complex routines aimed at producing multiple cracking patterns and either cutting or wrapping targets.
Saunders' whip cracking skills include single, synchronized, fancy and precise routines. She has even delighted audiences by riding on a unicycle while cracking the whip at the same time. She's been on the receiving end of the sport too, having clenched celery between her teeth while fellow whip cracker Will Gough, also from Borden, has sliced it into small chunks with his well-practised art. Public awareness of the skill came to the forefront through the on-screen actions of Indiana Jones, in the movie "Raiders of the Lost Ark." The demonstration at Maryfield begins at noon, and it's likely to be a crowd pleaser.
Another new attraction this year is the "Silly Science Event" by Regina-based FunTAZM Entertainment. The company has been going since 2001 and is the brainchild of Dawn Suchoboki, a highly-talented and versatile entertainer with a diverse background in performing arts. Dawn has been an actor, singer, dancer, writer, director, choreographer, improve artist, puppeteer, graphic designer, composer, songwriter, bandleader and motivational speaker.
As "Dynamic Dawn" she brings fun and interactivity to young audiences through the Silly Science presentations. With exciting demonstrations and hands-on experiments, audiences learn about science and how it is present in the world around us. Typically, children in the audience come away from the high-energy shows with not only valuable education, but also big smiles on their faces. Silly Science will take place between 3 and 4 p.m. and is being brought to the fair by Borderland Co-op in Moosomin.
While the fair was not blessed with good weather last year, Hill says "We're praying for sun" for the July 28 event. Certainly, a lot can be moved inside if necessary, but some things are just better in the open air. For example, Taffy's Inflatables, from Birtle, Manitoba, will be supplying a variety of small bouncers for kids to enjoy, and they are also bringing something new this year, a nine-hole mini golf course that can entertain up to 200 people per hour. Whether negotiating a bridge, playing through a building, or even avoiding a squirrel, kids of all ages (including parents and grandparents) are sure to find this new feature a welcome addition to the fun of the fair.
Well-established activities also return for 2011. The pancake breakfast is always popular from 8 to 10 a.m. and the horse show also takes place in the morning, beginning at 9:30. The event is part of the Man-Sask Border Circuit, and although many entrants are pre-registered, late entries sometimes take part in activities. For more information about the horse show, Hill advises that interested parties contact Holly Dauvin at 646-4685.
Very popular last year, and returning to Maryfield with more of his advice, is Antique Appraiser Vern Reese. Reese has appeared on both television and radio and often provides people with the background to a treasured item in addition to an evaluation. It can be quite an eye-opener to find the true value of an item, with either a thrill of sudden new investment, or the disappointment that something thought to be rare is actually very common. Either way, Reese brings experience and information to the fair, and he's sure to be just as popular this year as he was in 2010.
As the afternoon progresses, visitors to the fair will be offered plenty of things to see and do. For those who wish a more relaxing experience, there's cake decorating from noon to 3 p.m. The artistically-inclined can also bring items with them, and for a $5 charge for materials, can compile them into scrapbook pages for their album. Tables will also display numerous examples of arts, crafts and produce, with exhibitors always happy to discuss their creations. There will also be an exhibit auction at 4 p.m. Last year the event brought in over $1,800 to assist in the upkeep of Maryfield Rink. Once again proceeds will be going to the Recreation Board for use within the community.
Supper is served at 5 p.m. at the Maryfield Curling Rink, and at 6:30 p.m. there will be a visit to Maryfield by Her Majesty the Queen. Of course the lady herself is not really making a trans-Atlantic trip to the prairies, rather her persona will be conveyed through the interpretive skills of standup comedian Donna Sanders, from Regina. Sanders has been entertaining audiences across Canada and the United States for over 30 years with her fun-filled royal speeches, and her "Remarks by Her Majesty the Queen" at Maryfield are likely to include references to her impressions of the village, the RM Councillors and Fair Directors. It's not to be missed.
The fair draws to a conclusion with a family movie at the theatre at 8 p.m. At the time of going to press, it was unclear what the movie would be, but whatever the choice, it is sure to bring a fitting family end to a wonderful family day. Last year more than 200 people braved the overcast weather to attend, and Hill says "We always hope for a better show, and hope we will bring the crowds out." With the variety of activities for all ages, and the new events being presented this year, chances are high that the crowds will indeed support the 97th Maryfield Agricultural Fair.
