Desjardins Expo Ormstown hosts a successful 104th edition

Emily Southwood - Over the span of four evenings and three days without a drop of rain, Expo Ormstown received attendance exceeding last year’s record numbers for its 104th edition. As usual, the weekend kicked off with a parade of impressive floats from local schools, organizations and businesses. Crowds lined the streets to cheer on the community effort, with Hemmingford Elementary School taking home first place for its float, and launching yet another fun-filled Expo Ormstown experience. Highlights this year included the return of The President’s Choice Super Dogs, the 2nd Annual Kid’s Demolition Derby, and many lively musical performances, including Grove Hall’s cast for summer 2018’s production of Anne of Green Gables. Fairgoers enjoyed impressive agricultural displays and, as always, the staple backdrop of Campbell’s Amusement Midway. Passionate volunteers, local organizations, businesses, and exhibitors welcomed the crowds to enjoy a bevy of entertainment throughout the weekend. This year, special efforts in preparation went to expanding the Agriculture Awareness Barn and overall improving the customer experience of fairgoers. This included adding space to the parking lots and continuing repairs on the beautiful, century-old fairground buildings. Within the barns, spectators enjoyed livestock on display from the region’s passionate farming community and the return of the vertical farming Get Up and Grow display. [caption id="attachment_49137" align="alignnone" width="521"] (Photo Robert Vroom)[/caption] Horse jumping made its return to the schedule of events this year. Organizer Christina Franc explained that it was a happy addition for many longtime fairgoers who have fond memories of “jumping competitions that once continued until 2am.” There was an accident during the Six-Horse Hitch on Friday evening that saw the ambulances called to the fairgrounds. The driver suffered injuries in the crash, but is expected to recover, and the animals were not hurt. As usual, Sunday closed out with packed stands cheering on participants as they mangled, flipped, and set fire to cars in the popular Demotion Derby. Once again, Ormstown volunteer firefighters were on-sight lending their time and effort to the event. Christina Franc, Expo volunteer member of five years, commented on the many individuals overall who contribute their time and skills annually: “It’s a massive team effort and the driving force behind the fair.” She also noted, “We’ve had great weather ever since Desjardin came on as a sponsor two years ago.” For now, we’ll all just have to wait another year to determine whether, indeed, the curse for rain at the Ormstown fair has been lifted.