The record, 26 août 2004, Supplément 1

¦*» jfl I .m&3c tl= mW" mm :*;: ¦, S?RKCORf Menu page 2 «Ayer’s Cliff Fair • THE RECORD Thursday, August 26, 2004 Dairy farmer Sandy Johnston takes the challenge New president has his hands full: ‘Lots of work to do’ By Claudia Villemaire Ayer’s Cuff Each year, as the fair comes to a close organizers are already thinking about next year.Complaints, criticism, new ideas are presented at the first meeting, studied, discussed and, eventually accepted or rejected.Organizing a county fair is a “whole bunch of headaches” according to this year’s president Sandy Johnston.“Oh I guess it’s all right but there’s lots of work to do.” A third generation milk producer on the family farm near Stanstead, Johnston is a great chatter who loves to meet and greet family and friends.But shyness takes over when it’s time to make a speech.There’s been plenty of work to do for this year’s fair.With the Minister of Agriculture, Françoise Gauthier, coming for a visit, the president needed to preside over a crew that was ready to pull all the stops - spruce up, paiat everywhere, straighten fences, destroy spider webs, wash windows, tidy-up stables and show areas - whatever was needed to present the best looking fair and grounds ever.Between them Johnston and his father Doug could probably tally up close to one hundred years of the Ayer’s Cliff Fair.Doug knows what’s expected of a president.He served four terms.Now Sandy has faced the challenge for the first time and according to his latest assessment of projects completed, “we’re just about ready.” Visitors will certainly be impressed with the freshly painted race barns, paddock fences, perimeter fence, the 86 horse-stalls that line the fence near the office.There’ll be fresh paint on the stage and the grandstand, new perimeter fences at the back of the grounds, extra security, shiny golf carts to ferry VIPs from one end to the other and newly decorated walls in the kiddie corner.“I guess I can remember when this fair wasn’t what it is today, the younger Johnston said.“I do recall when they started tearing down the old horse stalls and pony barn.That must be twenty years ago but, looking back at what we were then boy! it sure has changed.Johnston has reason to be proud.Today the Ayer’s Cliff fair grounds are modernized and up to date.The race track has been widened, there’s a large Expo Centre, a recreation centre that replaced the old beer tent, office space has been enlarged and renovated, new safer heavy horse barns built with larger stalls and wider walkways, and even a new race judge’s stand high atop the stage.Doug will tell of the generations of 4Hers he has seen and supported during his nearly 65 years of working and showing at this fair.He’ll tell stories of having over 100 entries in the horticulture building, showing poultry where one judge awarded his rooster the Championship ribbon for a hen.He will recall his boyhood when he and his brothers would accompany their Dad on the fair circuit, taking in not only their home fair but all the fairs including the Sherbrooke Exhibition, showing purebred Ayrshires at a time when polished horns counted in the judges’ score.Now, as the years begin to take their toll, he readily admits it’s time the young people take over, even though son Sandy is somewhere near 50 he wouldn’t say whether it was the near side or not.“We have had a great team working at all these preparations this year.The board, volunteers, the community and our many sponsors have been especially kind to us this year.Special thanks go to each and every one,” president Sandy added.Sandy Johnston may not be a public speaker, but he’s a Johnston and with a history of family involvement that spans four generations, (his grandson will make his first appearance this year in 4H), there’s no questioning his determination to make this year’s fair the best ever.CLAUDIA VILLEMAIRE Organizing a country fair is not without its headaches, but president Sandy Johnston has found some bright spots.~>ers September 18,2004, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m int, Magog To wn s h i p pe r’s ’ JA*s sociatiorv free^l-86.6-566-5717, ti@townshippers.qc.ca, www.tday.ca Ayer’s Cliff Fair • THE RECORD Thursday, August 26, 2004 page 3 .Wendell Mosher OCTO BRAKES MUFFLERS AUTOSTOCK DIVISION M.J.MAI LUS GROUP :At) p.m.Judginn competition 4-1 I SUNDAY, AUGUST 29 10:00 a.m.10:20 a.m.10:40 a.m.11:00 a.m.1:00 p.m.1:30 p.m.3:00 pan.200 pan.SIMM 4 41.Draft 1 lorse'learn driven hy a ( in! or Bov under 13 years SPEC I AL Draft Horse’leant driven In aCiii'lor Bov 13 to IS years Men's C ’.art ( il.tss 'tandem I fitch I Irait I iorses VA agon or ( art BAGPIPES BAND I lorse, cattle and machinery parade After the parade Music in the Recreation Center with Mountain 1 )ew 4 1 lorse I Inch tor light horses or ponies Trioka ( )pcn I lackney Pony, 1 biv ing Roadster ( Hass Special acts In ( iastoni Attractions Lnicorn I litclt l nicorn I litclt light horses oi potties Special acts hv ( iastoni Attractions 4 1 lorse I Iitch Roadster ( Xtss Special 6 i lorse I Iitch TRI CK PL El ,ING I 1 leavy and light horses Goals Cooking, maple and honey products, held crops, vegetables, fruits it, flowers, in Horticultural Building, poultry, rabbits Sheep Pee Wee Conformation Showmanship loi lowed by 441 ( V information & Showmanship of dairy and lied calves Swine Fee Wee Dairy Gmlormation & Showmanship Calf Gasses - Showmanship *’C JI Vf s’ muter 12 years Bouquet SATURDAY 8:00 j m 8 VO j in 12 (8) p.m, I .ight 1 Iorses Beer cattle, hc.tv y hot scs Ayrshire, Holstein attdjerst eaMle FRIDAY: 8:00 a.m.9:30 a.m.10:00 a.m.10:00 a.m.11:00 a.m.12:00 p m.2:IHJ p,nt.4 IK) pm.6 30 p m. page 10 «Ayer’s Cliff Fair • THE RECORD Thursday, August 26, 2004 : ' Fair days sure aren’t what they used to be.Getting ready for the fair was a family affair By Claudia Villemaire Ayer’s Cliff Remember when summer days meant getting up when the mist was still in the valley, dew was heavy on grass and bushes and the cows had wandered to the far end of the pasture.And you had to tramp through sage brush and buttercup clumps, getting soaked to the skin and not minding it one bit, especially on this special day?Or perhaps the scent of that first smoke from the morning fire, just catching hold in the kitchen stove 56 Queen St.Lennoxville, Qué.SERVICE G.L.PARADIS INC.TUNE-UP & GENERAL REPAIR WELDING CAR BOOSTING UNDERCOATING ELECTRONIC TESTING tél 562-8272 CUISINE CRBI Fine cabinetry for today’s lifestyle where cedar kindling and probably the Record or a Family Herald had been crumpled to help the flames bite into the sweet smelling cedar.From your snug feather bed, you’d hear the coffee pot gently placed on the stove top and the kitchen door closing as someone went to the shed, where rubber boots and maybe a walking stick were waiting.Even if it wasn’t your turn to get the cows, the sounds and smells of the stirring family around you wouldn’t let you doze.Brewing coffee, home-cured bacon and potatoes, toasting homemade bread all conspired to rouse you from that warm nest and venture down to the kitchen to slip a slice of cooked bacon off the half-filled platter in the warming oven and pop it in your mouth “How about some of that small, round birch wood your father put in the shed last week, eh?” Mom would say.And you knew what that meant.Better get an armful into the wood box if breakfast was to be on time.But today, all those endless chores, the wet dew of summer and the memory of the sharp cold of winter as you trudge to the barn for morning chores doesn’t bother you.Today is the first day of the Ayer’s Cliff Fair and no task is too great as long as you can get going 2160 Way’s Mills Road Ayer’s Cliff Tel • (819) 838-5889 www.cabico.com LXAUL/IA ViLLllIVLAJKr, Preparing for the fair is a long and arduous task that involves the whole MacKinnon family.Continued success to the Ayer's Cliff Fair committee.RECORD Yves Robert Advertising Consultant Tel.: 619-569-9525 Fax: 619-621-3179 email: sherbrookerecond@Mdeotron.ca at the Pun as quickly as possible.For weeks, there have been calves to train, wash, brush and hand feed.The spring colt is finally tamed after hours of handling, petting, brushing and training.All those hours in the garden, searching out every last Samson Bélair Deloitte & Touche CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS Claude Charest, CA 2727 King West, suite 300 Sherbrooke, QC J1L1C2 Tel.: (819) 823-1616 Fax: (819) 564-8078 | weed, scrutinizing for signs of bugs or mould, picking wild strawberries and raspberries and blackberries and coming home with arms scratched and fingers stained red - it’s all forgotten now.There are jars of jam and jelly, pickles and preserves.Several hills of potatoes have been uncovered to find the perfect specimens, to be carefully Please see prepare Page 11 Complete Tack Shop Boots Clothing Accessories Gifts/Jewe!ery; 49, rue Sherbrooke Magog, Quebec 819 843-3838 OPEN 7 DAYS Ayer’s Cliff Fair • THE RECORD Thursday, August 26, 2004 page 11 '!!!! is « 2 j CLAUDIA VILLEMAIRE / Off.: (819) 876-2303 X Res.(819) 876-7360 Prepare: Cont’d from Page 10 washed and dried and packed along with the pie plate to put them on.There is a variety of vegetables - onions, carrots, beets, yellow and green string beans, the best tomatoes, the largest pumpkin and, if the season has been just right, summer cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower.Few city cousins can even imagine the work, time and patience that is required to show just a few vegetables or fruit.At this fair, in the Horticulture building near the main gate, mounds of flowers, plate upon plate of vegetables and shiny apples, stalks of sweet, cereal and silage corn, sunflowers that nearly CLAUDIA VILLEMAIRE Prize produce will be featured throughout the weekend and many growing tips passed on.those three days at the county fair.This is the high point of the year.Christmas pales compared to the fair.It would take a national emergency to cancel this annual tradition.As far as this family is concerned, this is farm life at its finest.And, when the last animal is back home, the fancy cooking all eaten, jams and jellies and pickles and preserves stored away until winter, we’ll have already started making plans for next year.ThujtyaJkiZ- JUIDWAll Quincaillerie North Hatley (1987) Inc.Wa ¦ Benjamin Moore Paint • Electrical & plumbing Supplies General Hardware RONALD SMITH 3070 Capelton Rd.North Hatley (819) 842-2394 / (819) 842-2774 .FAX: (819) 842-4558 1 1451 Beauregard, P.O.Box 150 Lawrenceville_________________________Tel.: (450) 535-6752 touch the ceiling, and the biggest pumpkins ever seen are all carefully displayed.Sweet smelling samples of hay and clover share another corner with sheaves of grain.There are maple and honey displays that have taken hours, maybe days to prepare, not to mention the actual work of producing such delicacies.Everything is arranged by a team of volunteers, judged by experts and then viewed and admired by hundreds of visitors.Finally, everything is ready.The team is hitched to the farm wagon, crates of brown eggs and all the pies, cookies and sweets Mom has stayed up most all night to make are packed carefully.Boxes of preserves, garden produce, sap buckets, tubs anda variety of bottles are filled with cut flowers, her favourite houseplants, Dad’s sample of his best hay and corn.It’s all there.The colt will run alongside its mother and a few choice milk cows are tied at thè back.We climb in carefully, watching we don’t crumple our best clothes and if we’re lucky, we each have a nickel or a dime to spend.Excitement rules, chatter and laughter are nonstop as wagon wheels begin to turn and, finally, after weeks of work and nights of dreams about grand prizes and championship ribbons, we’re on our way.We’ve waited, schemed and laboured hard for a year now .all for Specialized in forestry equipment Timberjack • John Deere New & used parts - all brands Richie Harrison and wife Lorraine are well known for growing champion glads.Best Wishes to the Acer's Cttff Fair! LES PRODUITS DE LA FERME vanJLsse FARM PRODUCTS INC.Réal Variasse ARBRES DE NOËL DEPUIS 1952 • CHRISTMAS TREES SINCE 1952 Route 141, Ayer’s Cliff, Que.JOB 1C0*Tel.: 1 (819) 838-4990 CONSTRUCTION Have a great fair! G0UDREAU W*- Gravel, Earth & Sand MARTIAL FAUTEUX Owner C.P.420, 54 Maple Stanstead, QC JOB 3EO ,>*Wf i /‘fill n/ \iiiii i mu in mi il\ since 101 7 564-1750 page 12 «Ayer’s Cliff Fair • THE RECORD Thursday, August 26, 2004 Virtual tour: To turn left or It always pays off to be prepared By Gaudia Villemaire Ayer’s Cliff Planning a trip to the fair this weekend?Perhaps a quick tour on paper will help plan that visit and save some time and walking.Coming in the main gate, deciding where to start is the first challenge.The Horticulture building is on the right, the main building where arts and crafts of every colour and description are proudly displayed by the Ladies Committee.The noise and ballyhoo of the midway is directly in front of you.If one goes to the right, a tour of the wonderful collection of flowers, vegetables and home cooking can take you out the rear door to the commercial building and craft booths.At the end of the line of booths you’ll hear the sounds before you see them, in the poultry house, filled to capacity with birds large and small, turkeys, water fowl and ornamentals.Across the paved road next to the track is the Kiddie Corner with facilities for nursing mothers and supervised games and activities for toddlers.The dining hall is also here.Home cooked meals are a specialty.Toilets and washrooms are around back.If the decision at the gate is a left turn, then the Ladies Department is the first stop.This building is attached to the office and here are arts and crafts in an endless variety of styles, techniques and colours.Children’s artwork is also a feature of this department where spinning, knitting and crocheting go on all weekend.Climbing the stairs is also a rewarding effort as we find artists and handicrafters working at their trade, showing off their talent and offering their work for sale.Around this building’s corner is the Women’s Institute Tea Room awaits the tired visitor with dainty sweets and freshly brewed tea.It can be a bracing stop before the trek up the line of light horse stalls toward the cattle barns and the Expo Centre.In the Expo Centre, bleachers and benches and some time out of the sun can restore energy while watching the parade of dairy, beef, goats or sheep, washed, clipped and trimmed to present their best side to the judges.If we leave the Centre by the side door, we are facing the track and the light horse ring directly across where competition ranges from English style and pleasure classes to the timed events such as barrel racing and pole bending.The smallest ponies bear riders under 5 years r service At Y014 au cintra de la rénovation DELIVERY EVERY DAY IN THE REGION New town of Magog • Georgeville • Fitch Bay ^ Ayer's Cliff • Katevale Order today and receive tomorrow! “Boom-truck service” See our complete product lines on-line: NO PAYMENT NO INTEREST FOR 90 DAYS W/BMR CARD Shop around and you’ll still call us to order! www.bmr-legroupe.com ESTIMATES • DELIVERIES R.& M.Martin Inc.7 Center St., Stanstead (819) 876-2751 Toll free for Magog: 1-877-876-2751 Fax: (819) 876-2828 Prices are “Cash & Carry”.Consult our flyer BMR member of MATRECO, the most powerful purchasing power in Canada right - that is the question old.In the meantime, heavy and light draft horses are going through their paces in front of the grandstand.A tour through the goat and sheep barn will bring the visitor to the heavy horse bams where there’s always a scuny of preparation going on to get ready.A stroll past the show wagons and fancy buggies is an eye opener as well.The fair is strongest in these sections, an area we could call the business-end.Back toward the midway is the recreation centre and perhaps a cool drink or two.Or find a seat on the grandstand for a while.But there’s still the midway to see and experience.Right behind the grandstand, crammed into the small area between the light horse stalls and the back of the grandstand, one can find all the thrills of carnival rides, the frustration of games of chance and all the midway food one can stow away.Booths under the grandstand also provide food with the Quebec Farm- ers Association offering home grown sweet com, homemade doughnuts, coffee and drinks at reasonable prices.Dessert is a couple of steps away at the Young Farmers dairy counter where young members concoct cones and shakes according to your whim.When afternoon shadows start getting long, supper becomes a good idea and a bit of rest after the tour.Then, settle in with a cushion or a small blanket for the evening’s grandstand entertainment.Fairs are not the place to display your best clothes.Wear sturdy shoes, comfortable clothing and a jacket for the evening.A hat or cap is also great to lessen the heat of a hot summer day and pack rain gear and an umbrella in the car.Fairgrounds can be very dusty or very muddy, bringing the family pet is not encouraged and babies in strollers can weigh a ton by afternoon.A little planning can go a long way toward making a county fair visit enjoyable from beginning to end.s ' V CLAUDIA VILLEMAIRE • ¦ Mêm Serena Schoolcraft painted fences and every one of the 86 dutch doors on the light horse bam in preparation for the big event.Ayer’s Cliff Branch Bob Suitor, President (819) 346-5710 Wallace Mosher, Vice-President (8i9) 838-4344 Margaret Cheal, Secretary (819) 842-2278 Grant Taylor, Treasurer (819) 346-4636 While at the Ayer’s Cliff Fair visit our booth under the grandstand for hot dogs, hamburgers, sandwiches, drinks, chips and more.Freshness is what counts. Ayer’s Cliff Fair • THE RECORD Thursday, August 26, 2004 page 13 TRX450S/ES UNNOWIUe Learn how cows make milk and meat Agriculture minister on show with livestock, vegetables.CLAUDIA V1LLEMAIRK ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET.EYE PROTECTION AND PROTECTIVE CLOTHING.AND PLEASE RESPECT THE ENVIRONMENT OBEY THE LAW AND READ YOUR OWNER’S MANUAL THOROUGHLY HONDA RECOMMENDS TAKING AN ATV RIDER TRAINING COURSE SU*//> 2 Queen St., Lennoxville 565-1376 www.honda.ca m m o m Go Strong.Go Far.GO ANYWHERE.• Powerful, rugged, air-cooled engine is longitudinally mounted for improved drivctrain efficiency and uses overhead valves for maximum torque and a lower centre of gravity.• The TRX450 offers either Honda’s revolutionary ESP Electric Shift Program transmission with handlebar-mounted push-button shifting or a conventional, foot-shifted five-speed gearbox with an automatic clutch.• The TRX450’s full-time four-wheel-drive features maintenance-free shaft drive widi a limited-slip front differential for maximum traction.• Hassle free, low monthly payments available from Honda’s own RPM financing program.By Claudia Villemaire Ayer’s Cliff - HIGHLIGHTS at this year’s 159th Stanstead County Fair: An information and hands-on event with an agronomist Friday.Children and their adults are invited to assemble near the Kiddie Corner to learn about the dairy cow, where milk comes from, why they chew something all the time when they don’t seem to be eating and other such questions.• A beef cow will also be presented and visitors will learn where steaks, hamburgers and even hot dogs come from, and how various feeds affect growth and meat quality.• There’s a petting zoo with lots of small animals to meet and miniature ponies will be on display.Friday evening is the official opening with Minister of Agriculture Françoise Gauthier doing the honours.• Saturday is Race Day with betting booths open at 1 p.m.in the recreation centre.• Sunday, the grand parade of horses, cattle and machinery will be led up the track by the Eastern Townships Pipe Band, beginning at 1 p.m.• Parking may run out at noon or before, depending on space available, so an early start is a must.• One price covers all shows, attractions and midway rides.Food, midway trinkets and games of chance are extra.• A special attraction after the parade is the appearance of six-horse hitches, always a crowd pleaser.• Midway rides continue on Sunday evening.• Final event this year is the truck pull Sunday starting at 7 p.m.Hands on experience.Can you believe it?Milk comes from.where?CLAUDIA VILLEMAIRE 9 Notre-Dame Blvd., Stanstead • 876-2757 PIZZERIA STE^VE RESTAURANT Henk Stremmelaar proprietor Now offering Buffet & Catering Service Monday/Tuetday 6 a.m.to 7 pun.Wednaaday/Thursday 6 a.m.to 9 pun Friday/Saturday 6 a,m.to 10 p.m.Sunday 6 a.m.to 9 p.m. • * I page 14 «Ayer’s Cliff Fair • THE RECORD Thursday, August 26, 2004 Something for everyone at Ayer’s Cliff Fair By Claudia Villemaire Ayer’s Cliff Stick to the tried and true - add a few new touches, get the best entertainment money can buy and always keep the traditional county fair forma, it’s a recipe for success that has been proven time and again here at the annual exhibition.Attracting visitors from far and wide, attendance in recent years has often passed the 30,000 mark due in large part to the country fair flavor and ongoing traditions year after year.The format?Part of the secret is keeping the exhibitors of every breed coming out to the fair.Angus MacKinnon is quick to point out there has always been three dairy breeds, four or five beef breeds, an ever-increasing number of heavy and light horses, hundreds of entries in poul-tiy and small animals, a great sheep and goat show - in other words, everything that keeps the country flavor strong.“We live in a privileged area.Our farming population hasn’t shrunk quite as quickly here as in other regions.We still have a variety of productions going on and we can draw from that source to keep plenty of interesting exhibits coming to the fair,” MacKinnon said recently.With the motto, “Where the city meets the country,” the onus is on directors and organizing committees to come up with new ideas while making sure the usual traditions are kept up.Always involved in their county fair, the MacKinnons, along with many of their peers have been hard-pressed to keep up with fair duties and projects at the same time as rainy weather slowed down the haycropping operations everywhere in the townships.We caught brother Peter hard Best Wishes to the Ayer’s Cliff Fair! (Salon (sMimi 867 Main St., Ayer’s Cliff “Q'Oilh or QUilhoul ©dfifwintment” “^oc ©dll^&he family” j FAIR Lancaster, New Hampshire 6 fun-filled days! Wednesday, September 1st through Labor Day, Monday, September 6th Great Entertainment DOUG STONE FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3rd, 7 P.M.SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4th, 2 P.M.& 7 P.M.PATTY LOVELESS GIANT MIDWAY! HORSE SHOWS 4-a, fOO^ngpStf HORSE PULLING ^HlB/TllHlBlTs .Tc pV)0- DRAFT HORSE SHOW H'All o PONY PULLING °*£A/2S8 A*'liV'a\G LAWN & GARDEN TRACTOR PULL sh!S CatTLf e'G* FARM TRACTOR PULL H°*S L£ Located on Route 3, one mile North of the Junction of Route 2 and Route 3, Lancaster, New Hampshire General information: (603) 788-4531 ; For more information visit: www.lancasterfalr.com at work during one of the many downpours last week.The pressing project this time was repairing a corn chopper-blower for, hopefiilly a sunny day.“It’s pretty hard, sandwiching fair duties and hay-days,” Peter commented, but we’ll get both jobs done I’m sure.” “This year we have a talent competition,” Peter MacKay told The Record Monday.“This is an open invitation to anyone between 13 and 21 who would like to show off their talent either in song or on an instrument,” MacKay explained.This event is relatively new, started by the Association des Exhibitions de Quebec about four years ago.It’s an event, held only at fairs to encourage rural youngsters who may sing, dance, or produce music otherwise.Winners go on to the provincial fair in Quebec next year and top prizes include the possibility of a recording session at a later date.“We have six entries so far but anyone can enter right up to the last minute which is 6 p.m.Thursday." There’s no entry fee and groups as well as solo artists are most welcome.The show begins at 6 p.m.until 8 p.m., followed by the Gastoni Attractions and a horse-pulling competition.In the recreation centre, Ron Paxton and his band supply country music for the evening.Please see fair Page 15 HRIRRI ¦ «ft At 83, Ken Gale is not showing any signs of slowing down.Desjardins 'Serving the English population' We support our agricultural community and wish success to the Ayers Cliff Fair Caisse Populaire de Stanstead Caisse Populaire du LacMemphrémagog 484 Dufferin Rd 10 Railroad 74 Main Stanstead Stanstead Stanstead 819-876-7551 230 Principale W 12 Lapointe 342 Main Magog Eastman Mansonville 819-843-3328 450-297-2194 450-292-3337 [fiM • .mm*.W,w r the new i 2005 models SBii Available at mÊ&dm *»> mm 'i % «wit EMM /^SIGN CENTEr\ M INC.\ l CENTRE ) V D'ENSEIGNES J EST.1961 Have a fun TRAFFIC & SAFETY SIGNS COMPUTERIZED LETTERING VEHICLE & TRAILER LETTERING at the Ayer’s Cliff Fair! ?Tel.: (819) 876-7878 • fax.(819) 876-7666 77 Amy rd.Ayer's Cliff, Qc.www.slgncenterinc.com Lh Dlatrlbutlofw 1W«i 5379 King East Ascot Corner (Sherbrooke) (Quebec) JOB 1A0 Telephone: (819) 821-2015 Fax: (819) 820-0490 Toll-free: 1 888 821-2015 E-mail: payeur®videotron.ca www.payeur.com We have the largest inventory of intermediate used tractors in Quebec; diesel, 4x4, from 20 to 50 HP of different makes.Also many log loaders new or used available.Come see the KI0TI tractors HfPlS v CLAUDIA VILLE MAI RE The tug-o-mr is a favourite with the children.Ayer’s Cliff Fair • THE RECORD Thursday, August 26, 2004 page 15 Fair: Cont’d from Page 14 Friday is Kids Day with special activities planned all day long.The shepherd and shepherdess contest gets afternoon activities off to a great start at 1 p.m.Then the kids take over the track in front of the grandstand.There’s a full slate of games and races for boys and girls, special acts by Gastoni Attractions and then the traditional tug of war for boys and girls too.Things get a little more serious by 4 p.m.when single light horses or ponies make their appearance, hitched to a wagon followed by the leadline class for heavy horses, open to youngsters eight-years-old and under.Then it’s more fun as heavy horses prance into the ring, bearing riders in either western or English style gear.Horse classes continue until 7:30 p.m.and include such crowd pleasers as the ladies’ cart class, roadsters and ladies driving class.At 7:30 p.m., official opening night ceremonies begin.Special guest Françoise Gauthier, Minister of Agriculture will be making the official announcement, backed up by a contingent of VIPS including Pierre Reid, Minister of Education, mayors and dignitaries from Stanstead County municipalities as well as the fair president and directors.At 8 p.m., the Jason McCoy show begins featuring a singer, songwriter who can turn personal conflict and sadness into smart, wry songs of loss.Recent releases such as Please, Please and She Ain’t miss- ing, missing Me are fun and tongue-in-cheek so perhaps something good is coming out of crisis phase.McCoy is Canadian, bom in Minesing, Ontario and has climbed up the charts with traditional country music and classic pop songwriting, held together by his voice and rootsy production.Saturday once again the horses are the stars in front of the grandstand and in the showring nearby.Over in the Expo Center, there’ll be plenty of activity all day with 4Hers, and cattle, both dairy and beef, in the traditional classes based on age and maturity.Out in the poultry and small animals’ house, ribbons should be in place.And in the Horticulture building, champions will be lining up for photos by supper time.Out in the paddock area, horses in the first of the afternoon races will begin warming up by noon, getting ready for the afternoon of racing and pari mutuel betting.The evening show this year spotlights Beverly Mahood, formerly of the group Lace.Bom in Ireland, Mahood moved with her family to Canada when she was six.“To be a singer, that was my dream.I was always singing, even as a child and just never stopped.” With several awards and experience with some of the country music greats such as Anne Murray and George Jones, Mahood brings musical talent and the country music songwriter’s magic touch to the Ayer’s Cliff Fair stage Saturday evening.Sunday is parade day at the ‘Cliff.The final day of this fair pacta enough enter- tainment into the program to keep memories of the 2004 event strong for a long time after the gates close Sunday evening.Beginning with the classes for youngsters 13 and under driving a pair of draft horses hitched to a wagon, the colorful and somewhat risky multiple hitch classes continue after the parade until the final event, the truck pull, beginning at 7pm.There’s country music every evening in the recreation center.Scott Paxton’s band is featured Thursday night.Mountain Dew is on the sound stage Friday and Saturday.Gastoni Attractions appearing Friday, Saturday and Sunday feature Ti-Guy Doux, the clown, comedy act lebel and Labelle, trampoline artists, also a comedy act, and The Dazzling Darnells, a family of tumblers and acrobats.These acts appear at regular intervals all weekend, usually around noon each day, again at 2:30 and early evening, 6:30 or 7 p.m.Admission is $6 for everyone Thursday.Friday, children 12-years-old and under, $6, adults $9.Saturday and Sunday admission is $9 for everyone. page 16 «Ayer’s Cliff Fair • THE RECORD Thursday, August 26, 2004 COLORS ¦ *¦ LESS Matériaux Magog Orford me ________ 205 Centre Street, Mage >Hl&a:K3UN»W 1W.: (919) 843-4441 - Fax: