The record, 10 septembre 2015, Richmond Fair

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Dépanneur (fsso) 819-826-3306\t819-826-3501 Page 2 Thursday, September 10, 2015 RICHMOND FAIR newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com The Record Ideas and challenges never end for president FILE PHOTO BY CLAUDIA VILLEMAIRE President Lucie Demers says the volunteers who step forward every year are important,, like Susan Mastine cleaning the arena last year.By Claudia Villemaire This is only the second time Lucie Demers isn\u2019t showing her horse at Richmond Fair.But her excuse is understandable.In her third term as president, there\u2019s barely enough time to eat and sleep.But she did find time to meet for an interview with The Record to relate her feelings about fairs in general and her county fair in particular.\u201cI showed my pony when I was eight and I have to admit that was a long time ago,\u201d she recalls laughing.But the Demers family grew up surrounded by horses.Evenings and weekends would find at least half the family of eight saddling up and riding the trails around their home farm.Showing their ponies and horses was second nature to this family where riding and competing in horse shows was their favourite occupation often riding or leading their horse for miles just to compete.\u201cThis fair has been important to me for many years.Getting elected to the board and finally chosen to be president has been quite an experience.\u201d Demers believes in the importance of a county fair.\u201cBut the first priority at a county fair is to promote local producers.That even applies to events such as the horse show.Giving the local breeder a chance to present his best cattle, horse, sheep, or chicken to the public opens a window on the agriculture in the area, encourages the exhibitor who has worked very hard to improve his herd or flock, and offers visitors a chance to discover where and how food is produced in their own county.Special events this year include a new competition turning the lowly zucchini into a replica of a racecar.With four wheels attached, an opening scooped out for an imaginary driver complete, in some cases with a steering wheel, a zucchini race means letting go of this race-car look-alike on a downward slope along with other competitors to see who speeds to the finish line first.A popular event at American fairs and festivals, this attempt to give the zucchini a boost in popularity is gaining ground in the US and hopefully will be a fun event for the young folk at the fair this year.The demonstration organized by first responders and local firemen from the Richmond department is another event not mentioned on the flyer.\u201cThey\u2019ll bring in a smashed up vehicle and show how the \u2018Jaws of Life\u2019 are used to free injured people from a mangled wreck.That\u2019s in the arena on Saturday just before the sheep and their shepherds appear.Once again, this is presented by a local group.\u201cAnd there\u2019s always the budget.We can have all the dreams we want for all kinds of projects, but county fairs are pretty much on their own these days, and many wished-for projects are just not possible,\u201d Demers remarks.\u201cThis year, new water bowls in the dairy barn, regular maintenance, repairing plumbing and thorough cleaning of the washrooms, setting aside funds for parking attendants and security personnel and building a \u2018cabane\u2019 for ticket sellers at both the exhibitor gate and the central gate where pedestrians will be able to come onto the grounds, \u2014 and not taking into consideration the cost of putting on a show that lasts three-and-a-half days \u2014 it all takes lots of money.\u201cOh yes, I still remember those days when, probably no older than four, I would ride my pony alone to the berry patch.Often the pony would go home, leaving me behind, and my mother would begin looking for me, worrying I might have fallen off and was lying hurt somewhere.But I never did and by the time I was a teenager, there wasn\u2019t a horse around I wouldn\u2019t or couldn\u2019t ride.It was only natural that showing at the fair would be my first experience in the show ring.\u201d Demers learned well, gaining the knowledge that would lead her toward the board and the folks who planned the yearly event.\u201cThere\u2019s no doubt being president gives a person the chance to put forward their beliefs such as promoting local agriculture.That\u2019s what I have tried to accomplish and I think this year will be proof we are succeeding with more kiosks and exhibitors displaying and offering local foods and products.But one thing is very important, and that is the willing volunteers who step forward every year and help us.Without them projects would never be done on time, repairs wouldn\u2019t be completed, and we simply couldn\u2019t continue to grow as we have for the past several years.A well prepared fair attracts the public, brings out whole families, and of course, we thank them for coming as well.\u201d So folks providing a ride for their offspring to the fair will find the central gate open to pedestrians, easing traffic problems at the main gate.Anyone needing help, information, passes, programs or whatever will find the office much larger and more people-friendly with an extended counter, chairs, and even a table where last-minute paperwork can be completed.With three gates open and shelters at each one for personnel, waiting lines should be minimized quite a lot, making entrance to the grounds safer for all concerned.Latest news reports entries are up to par in just about every department with three breeds of dairy and three of beef filling up accommodations.The poultry house will be full and the mini-farm, in the same building opens Friday and continues to provide hands-on introductions to small animals.\u201cWe\u2019re just about ready,\u201d Demers said last week.\u201cStill some cleaning up to do, but the major tasks are complete and we\u2019ll be ready for Thursday night\u2019s events, lawn tractor races and dog races.Perhaps we can bring back the Tug O\u2019War next year and persuade teams from different sections to come out for that,\u201d Demers hinted.\u201cOh yes, the ideas never stop nor do the challenges,\u201d she concludes, picking up papers and notebook and slowly driving away to another meeting in town.Centre de mécanique R.S.Inc Ricky Stoddard, prop.General mechanics Electronic diagnostic Air conditioning Alignment Brakes Mufflers\t.32 Avenue Melbourne North-Richmond Tel : 819 826-1287 Fax : 819 826-2840 The Record newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com RICHMOND FAIR Thursday, September 10, 2015 Page 3 We\u2019ll always remember Butch Crack By Claudia Villemaire There\u2019s an empty cot in the bunkhouse these days and, even though David, (Butch) Crack wasn\u2019t ever a cowboy with his favourite horse his best friend, Butch always had a favourite cow in his stable, one that often won the highest honours at local fairs and was probably the best milker in the barn.It\u2019s probably safe to say there was a whole stable of milk cows sensing the loss of the man who had, for years, nurtured them from the moment of birth, paid careful attention to nutrition and health, bathed, brushed and clipped a select few every show season.The untimely passing of this Master Breeder, an honour twice given to the Crackholm Holsteins, closes an era that is legendary.As a breeder of quality dairy animals, auctioneer, and active community supporter aside from his devotion to his son David and daughter Cindy and their children, Crack had exhibitions and competitions with his Holsteins in his blood from the days when, still in short pants, showing knobby knees and mischief in his eye, he turned up at Calf Club events with his dad\u2019s Jerseys.The Crack family has a long history of participation at local fairs with Gordon and Kay Crack well-known breeders of qualityjerseys.Butch always loved to tell the story of the day, after the family moved from the Kingsbury Farm to the present location just outside Richmond, he worked up courage enough to purchase a Holstein heifer, a breed his dad never liked and discouraged conversation about.He would tell of arriving home with the young animal in a trailer, and as daylight turned to twilight, tugged that alien heifer in the back door of the stable and tied her at the very end of the line in the darkest corner he could find.Father Crack was some upset, but he was a kind and understanding parent and gave in to what he considered a passing whim.But, not many years later, as Butch began to think about his future on the family farm, more and more of the black and white milk cows appeared in the line and the rest is history.His talent to spot a potential champion in the wobbly legs of a newborn calf served him well and it wasn\u2019t long before the Crackholm family of animals was working its way up the lines of competitions at local fairs.Then he turned his attention to the auctioneer\u2019s bench where much of his first bloodlines were found on the auction block.Auctioneering became another challenge, and soon his talent at persuading buyers to dig deep in their pockets was taking him around the world as an auctioneer.A director on the board of the Richmond County Agriculture Society, serving as president, and always not only an exhibitor but a supporter and volunteer at the event that played a maj or role in the development of this renowned cattleman beginning, Butch Crack maybe gone but the good work he accomplished, the quality bloodlines of Holsteins that can be traced to Eastern Townships herds far and wide, his commitment to good causes such as the Cancer Society to name just one, and his unconditional love for his beloved Phyllis and his children and grandchildren will always be remembered.Especially at Richmond Fair time, we will remember him in the ring with lead and halter gripped firmly, perspiration streaming into his eyes, his crouch so that the judge wouldn\u2019t be distracted by David Crack Jr.- already following his dad\u2019s example, taking home a red ribbon and later, winning honorable mention with his classy cow.PHOTOS BY CLAUDIA VILLEMAIRE mm David (Butch) Crack, auctioning chickens for a good cause last year.his height, (he was over six feet), and his instant handshake to his fellow competitors, and that quick searching glance to find Phyllis to come out for the photo shoot.The chicken auction where he held sway last year auctioning the birds raised by 4-H Club members.That raucous laugh, the gravelly voice and the continuous rap of the auctioneer\u2019s gavel usually incited bidders to bid even higher, helping to make this event a tradition now with proceeds going to the Cancer Society or Children\u2019s Wish Foundation.Sadness should only play a minor role in remembering Butch Crack.David Crack Jr.is following his footsteps.Already David\u2019s children are making their mark in the annals of 4-H Club competitions and, just as Butch followed his parents\u2019 example, so his family is following his with the probability of great achievements.¦ Conception ¦ Graphic Design ¦ Drafting ¦ Computer graphics ¦ Photography ¦ Impression 'ffU Martineau Communication & Impression www.martineauci.com mm info@martineauci.com 2000 819.845.5488 92PrincipaleN.Windsor,Qc J1S2C7 Fax:819.845.3706 Ville de Richmond The Ville de Richmond wishes great success to the organizers, all volunteers and exhibitors of this 159th annual fair.We invite visitors to discover the richness that the Richmond region has to offer.We welcome you all! Mayor Marc-André Martel Councillors Céline Bourbeau Guy Boutin Nick Fonda Pierre Grégoire Charles Mallette Gérard Tremblay www.ville.richmond.qc.ca Page 4 Thursday, September 10, 2015 RICHMOND FAIR RICHMOND FAIR Thursday, September 10, 2015 Page 5 159th Edition of Richmond Fair - September 1O, 11, 12 and 13 www.exporichmondfair.com Lots to see! The Richmond County Fair 159™ edition offers a wide range of entertainment, music suitable for all ages.You\u2019ll find free midway rides, dance shows, various truck and tractor pulls, antique demonstrations, judging competitions and so much more.\u2022\tMAPAQ Projects \u2022\tClowns \u2022\tKiddies Corner/Mommy and Baby t?U