The record, 28 août 2018, Cahier 3

[" August 31 to Sept.3, 2018 Have a great time at the fair! At your service everyday from 8 a.m.to 9 p.m.461 chemin Knowlton, Knowlton \u2022 Tel.450 243-6692 \u2022 Fax 450 243-1121 Supplement August 28, 2018 Page 2 T uesday , August 28 , 2018 BROME FAIR BROME COUNT Y NEWS T uesday , August 28 , 2018 Page 3 BROME COUNT Y NEWS BROME FAIR 1108 ch.Knowlton, West Brome, Lac Brome EVERYTHING PET PUR ANIMAL C\u2019est Pur C\u2019est Animal It\u2019s I\u2019 YOU OUVERT OPEN 7/7 www.puranimal.com 450 263-3030 ACTION AGENCE IMMOBILIÈRE REAL ESTATE AGENCY lois@royallepage.ca 450.242.2000 3 Victoria, Knowlton Lac-Brome, QC J0E 1V0 Lac Brome Bondville Brome Cowansville Dunham See you at the Fair! Bolton Est Bolton Ouest Foster Potton Sutton Knowlton Lois Hardacker Courtier Immobilier Agréé / Chartered Real Estate Broker Visitez mon site web pour des terrains et magni?gues propriétés.www.loishardacker.com Visit my website for land and beautiful homes.Fall is in the air By Claudia Villemaire Have you noticed?There\u2019s a hint of colour on the hills, a subtle touch of crimson or gold.That means one thing - it must be time for Brome Fair once again.Last week, the fairgrounds were buzzing with crews, and the ringing sound of hammers, saws and the scratching noise of rakes as volunteers and workers put the finishing touch on grounds and buildings in time for the 162nd fair.In Brome village, where rush hour traffic could mean a dozen vehicles zipping past the gates to the fairgrounds, visitors never cease to be amazed during fair days when up to 40 thousand or more visitors line up for three miles or more.Sometimes that means a slow crawl to parking areas which could take an hour or more.But no one seems to mind.Travelling to this 'off-the-beaten- track' venue can be a very pleasant drive travelling through some of the Townships green hills and valleys.From Richmond, along route 243, you see a vista of a broad valleys where cattle graze and Valcourt is clearly visible; then into Waterloo, a turn to the right and once again, up hill and down dale leads to another route, 212, which also opens up a 180 degree view of the Massawippi valley.Once again gentler slopes in different shades of green and perhaps an accent of golden brown in fields of barley and oats flow towards the lake where Ayer's Cliff offers summer cottage country accommodation and their own fair which is a close runner-up in size and colour.But for this Labor Day weekend, we'll go through Waterloo, turn right on route 212, pass through Foster and wind our way to what is popularly called Brome corners.Brome village folk have been preparing for this fair almost as long as the fair itself.Hayfields are turned into green spaces, parking lots are on both sides of the road and rates are the same as the $5 charge for parking on the fairgrounds themselves.Here, in the Brome Lake area, where hills and mountains seem everywhere, visitors are surprised by the flat plateau the fairgrounds cover.Improvements have been ongoing almost since the beginning so long ago.Visitors will now find shade trees, benches and picnic tables liberally set up in almost every corner of the grounds.A stroll down the Presidents' Alley, each tree has a plaque at its base, honoring past and present presidents.It's shady here, near the kiddies section of the midway and parents can enjoy cool shade, perhaps a snack and keep a sharp eye on their youngsters just a few steps away enjoying midway rides.This is one of the main walkways, leading to or from the grandstand and food Time for Brome Fair CONT\u2019D ON PAGE 5 Paul Santerre, working on the new acoustic corner stage near the horse stables Page 4 T uesday , August 28 , 2018 BROME FAIR BROME COUNT Y NEWS Estimation Gratuite SAND - GRAVEL - FILL & TOPSOIL BULLDOZER - BACKHOE - PELLE - SHOVEL TERRE À PARTERRE - REMPLISSAGE - SEPTIC TANKS CHAMPS D\u2019ÉPURATION - FILTER BEDS - PONDS - LACS ARTIFICIELS MARTEAU HYDRAULIQUE - FONDATIONS - FOUNDATIONS 576 chemin Choinière, Brigham, QC, J2K 4A7 Tel.: 450-263-3415 450-243-0366 450-266-1020 Enjoy the Fair! T uesday , August 28 , 2018 Page 5 BROME COUNT Y NEWS BROME FAIR 1330 Principale E., Farnham, QC J2N 1N2 Phone: 1.877.293.8181 Fax: 1.450.293.8585 Email: info@gazebec.com Web: www.gazebec.com Have a great time at the Fair! CONT\u2019D FROM PAGE 3 concession area or, in the opposite direction, to shaded picnic tables along the track or to the latest surprise, a mini-stage, bistro style, with tables and seating where entertainment is scheduled all weekend.\"We decided our antique farm machinery was getting a little the worse for wear, so by adding a supporting wall along the back and building this new entertainment corner, we hope this friendly corner will make the long walk from stables way out near the main gate a little less tiring\", said Paul Santerre, who is heading up the new area committee.\"This is a place for just one or two performers at a time, a cozy and intimate spot where fairgoers can find shade and perhaps enjoy and appreciate local talent.\"We've also fenced off this corner, widened the access ramp the heavy horses use on their way to the showring, increasing safety for all concerned,\" he added.Security and safety is a major concern for organizers of this fair.Uniformed security keeps a twenty- four hour watch on-going, student Sûreté men and women also carry communication equipment and ambulance and first-responders are on duty every day and night of the fair.New hydro installations will also ensure no blackouts during prime times such as the stage show or on race day when betting booths are up and running.No one counts the hundreds of windows washed or the cases of t.p., paper towels, soap, disinfectant, hand-santizer lotion and this year, real small sinks where folks can wash hands the old-fashioned way.Walkways are paved and smooth for the most part, midway grounds are green grass, buildings are freshly painted, stables and barns are cleaned and also disinfected, supplies of straw and shavings had already begun to arrive along with Beauce Carnaval trucks and trailers.In the office, the rush to process hundreds of entries was well underway, workers T-shirts were stacked and ready and final details with committee chairpersons being tended to.Cartons of prize ribbons were being sorted and put in order for each section and each class.Trophies and plaques were already lined up and ready - late last week, it seemed preparations for an even bigger event were well underway.Opening day is Friday when admission for seniors and children is $10.Adult admission is $15.Saturday and Sunday, general admission for all is $20.Monday, admission is $12 and a four-day pass for adults and children, one entry per day, is $45.Parking on the grounds is $5, space permitting.Admission price includes rides and shows.No unauthorized pets or animals are allowed on the grounds.For info - 450 242 3976 or www.bromefair.com Fall is in the air By Claudia Villemaire There's no doubt whatsoever.The Crandall, Jackson Allnutt families were bitten by the 'fair bug' decades ago.Three generations have left their mark on this fair and Karen Crandall-All- nutt has been keeping the family tradition alive her entire life.Father Rod and uncle Jerry Jackson remember exhibiting at Townships fairs almost before school age.\"The Jackson family exhibited at several local fairs and I tagged along too.Learning not only about the work involved in showing the Shorthorns, but, eventually becoming aware of the challenges from an organizational viewpoint, that's when volunteering turned into accepting a spot on the board of directors.\u201d Father and daughter would eventually find themselves in the president's chair - not once but several times through the years.\"We moved home in 1986 from Ontario, were married in '88 and settled into the routine begun so long ago with Mom and Dad - exhibiting at this fair and joining the Jacksons at several other fairs around the E.T.\" Coming up with ideas to involve the young people in the area, Crandall organized the first Youth Talent Contest ten years ago, promoting local talent which could include almost any type of entertainment in the music and song world.Winning contestants could, at that time, go on to regional and provincial competitions too and, \"we always hoped we'd see one of the Brome Fair winners in this competition turn up on Canada's Got talent or a similar show.\" Father Rod Crandall, whose sense of what makes a fair 'tick' is carried on now by Karen who admits she still follows his footsteps as she considers her challenges this year.The community and especially the board members who worked with father Rod still keep his memory strong as they go about the tasks that organizing such a large event requires.So far this year nine or ten competitors have registered.\"We are especially happy with beef cattle entries,\" Crandall explained.This is one of four sanctioned sections that qualify as a provincial competition.That brings a certain prestige to the classes of goats, beef, horses and rabbits.\"With the halter classes of purebred horses Thursday we have the privilege of presenting some of the best this province has at our own fair.That's quite something,\" Crandall said proudly.The Crandall family is going on - continuing the trdition begun so long ago by the Jackson family, the Crandalls and now, a third generation has already made a name for itself with Blair Cran- dall.We remember his first year as an exhibitor.With an oversized cowboy hat and his pet goat, Blair made his first appearance in the showring and his enthusiasm hasn't diminished in the years since.Shorthorn beef cattle have been his pride and joy for several years now, competing in 4H and now, in regular classes, the Crandall-Allnutt legacy goes on.\"We all started out barely able to walk, following Dad and Uncle Jerry, learning about the intricacies of raising animals, getting them accustomed to all the handling preparing show animals requires, keeping a careful eye on their development and nutrition and always hoping the calf you chose in the Spring would eventually work its way up the judge's line and take home a red ribbon or two and just maybe, a championship rosette,\" he said.\u201cDad had a sharp eye for the characteristics to watch for when the calf was still young.And being a part of the inner circle planning and working to make every fair the best they could - that was his favorite time of year, it's been mine and now, I'm proud to say, my son is following those footsteps that are so dear to us all.\u201d The Crandall family, nine brothers and sisters, usually manage a visit or two during Summer with at least one day spent at the fair.This year there'll be an empty seat at the beef barn door, but memories will warm that bench as family and friends gather to remember a devoted supporter, exhibitor and family man.Friendly advice, wisdom and, of course, always a story-teller Rod Cran- dall's legacy will always be honored and remembered.Page 6 T uesday , August 28 , 2018 BROME FAIR BROME COUNT Y NEWS Agrodol d\u2019Omya (38% MgCO3) CALCIC AND DOLOMITIC AGLIME GPS AGLIME SPREADING SERVICE Partner in spreading branded products: N o t r e - D a m e - d e - S t a n b r i d g e ( 4 5 0 ) 2 9 6 - 4 9 9 6 Also available: Truck with flotation tires or Tractor hauled spreader Transport Hanigan inc.Since 1947 Koyo Bearings Canada Inc.JTEKT Amérique du Nord 4 Victoria South, Bedford, Québec, Canada J0J 1A0 Bureau: (450) 248-3316 All the best for Brome Fair 2018 FÉLIX ALLARD, prés.Winter and summer camping \u2022 Propane gas Summer and winter fishing \u2022 Hunting and fishing permits DÉPANNEUR and LICENSED RESTAURANT 688, rue Bondville (Foster) Ville de Lac-Brome Tél.: 450-242-8888 (Sortie 90, 243 sud, 215 sud, Autoroute des Cantons-de-l\u2019Est - Protect our lakes and rivers for present and future generations.- Protéger nos lacs et rivières pour les générations actuelles et futur.Keeping tradition alive at the fair T uesday , August 28 , 2018 Page 7 BROME COUNT Y NEWS BROME FAIR Enjoy the Brome Fair! Fo r a l l y o u r e x c a v a t i o n n e e d s , c a l l 4 5 0 - 7 7 6 - 5 5 2 9 Landscaping, Sewer and Water Foundations, French Drain Fill, Gravel, Top Soil, Sand, Food Plot RBQ# 5719-6750-01 Sanctioned rabbit show a must see at Brome Fair Submitted by Gloria Robinson Fabie Lariviere is from Sutton and from generations of dairy farmers.Fabie, her brother and their parents still operate the dairy farm on the 139 as you go out of Sutton towards Abercorn.Fabie has her degree in Agronomy and started showing miniature rabbits and guinea pigs a few years ago.Jeanne Aib- linger (Chairman of the Small Animals Committee) had wanted to have sanctioned shows for the rabbits and poultry for a few years.This year Jeanne asked me (as director attached to small animals) to work on the project because she didn't have the time with her work and farm.I immediately thought of Fabie.I have known Fabie since she was in elementary school as she and her brother Jean-Philippe used to take riding lessons at my brother's riding stable.Fabie and Jean-Philippe were amazing kids and always fun to have around.At first, I had only contacted Fabie for information of where to start.After our second conversation, Fabie offered to organize the show, take care of entries, show documents, judges and pretty much everything else.Fabie shows her animals with ARBA, the American Rabbit Breeders Association.By contacting Fabie, I also had the chance to meet her boyfriend Fabio Ro- bitaille.Having just met Fabio, I don't have a whole lot of knowledge about his background.Fabio is also from a farming family.His family has 600 rabbits, Californian and New Zealand.Fabio's family show their animals with the AELCQ, l'Association de Eleveurs de Lapins and Cobayes du Quebec.This young couple has been absolutely amazing in the organization of the sanctioned rabbit shows for our fair! Fabie thinks of every detail in sanctioning and paperwork.Fabio thinks of every detail in set up and needs of the rabbits and exhibitors.They make a priceless team who has made the organization of this show smooth and fun! I am extremely happy to have reconnected with Fabie for the organization of this show and to have met Fabio.Brome Fair is blessed to have this fabulous couple join our volunteer family! COURTESY Fabie Lariviere, Gloria Robinson and Fabio Robitaille.Fabie is holding one of her Mini Rex rabbits & Fabio is holding one of his Californian rabbits. Page 8 T uesday , August 28 , 2018 BROME FAIR BROME COUNT Y NEWS SINCE 1970 YOUR STORE in Cowansville 145, RUE DE SALABERRY, COWANSVILLE T.450 263-4232 Enjoy the Fair! T uesday , August 28 , 2018 Page 9 BROME COUNT Y NEWS BROME FAIR Page 10 T uesday , August 28 , 2018 BROME FAIR BROME COUNT Y NEWS The future of the fairs depends on the next generation By Claudia Villemaiare Once again, up to six 4-H and Jeunes Ruraux clubs will be competing at Brome Fair.Diana Frizzle, past president and director is, once again looking after this important activity which brings young people to an event where they can exercise what seminars and clinics have taught them since last year.Dairy, beef and horses as well as sheep goats and perhaps a chicken or two will come under the judge's eye in classes that first judge breed conformation and then the young people themselves in their showmanship classes.Winners of ribbons are also given scores which are applied to their club.So that means there are individual winners as well as clubs considered.The judging competition puts the competitors' knowledge and understanding of breed standards and conformation.\"Some years we have over seventy young people competing and that's pretty intense,\" Diana Frizzle explained.\"This year, we'll have around 30 horses in riding and leading for showmanship.We encourage entries from non-members in the horse sections as many of them are not really involved in agriculture and don't have much chance to show off their horse or their expertise.\" \"We got lots of youngsters coming up,\" she explained.\u201cThe clubs kind of run in cycles and depend on the youngest reaching the allowed age for showing.Some years, club memberships can vary quite a bit but that's only natural,\u201d she added.Frizzle was the first woman president in 1992.Karen Crandall served two terms in 2004 and 2005 and again in 2011.This year, another veteran director is in the president's chair.Jean Royea, a Brome village resident with her husband Larry and daughter Jennifer nearby, knows the Brome Fair inside and out.\"We always went to the fair as kids,\u201d she remembered, \u201cand now, living just across the street from the fair - well, there's really no excuse for missing the best of the E.T fairs.\" Last week, we found her with Ernie Banks and Gay- lon Davis with her husband Larry as they measured spaces for concessions and kiosks in the midway area.Royea's goal is promoting activities for young people from early school age and up.\"Our future depends on this generation learning to appreciate the importance of their county fair.They don't have to be farmers to enjoy making friends with a horse or another animal, learning what their purpose is and hopefully, offering to help out at the fair.I know volunteering led to an invitation to join the Board and that's the story many directors will tell you.They'll say they turned up to CLAUDIA VILLEMAIRE Jean Royea, Brome Fair president with past presidents Ernie Banks and Gaylon Davis CONT\u2019D ON PAGE 11 CONT\u2019D FROM PAGE 10 help at a specific project and then they'll admit, that's when they invited me to join the Society and learn the ropes, so to speak.\" \"It's been a good year,\" she said.\"The board works well together and the committee chairpersons have been great at getting their particular tasks completed.I think we'll have a great fair with many new activities.We've got hydroponic towers going on display, there's a project to take this system into the classrooms at local schools, showing the youngsters they can have their own garden at home and grow sprouts, greens and even tomatoes.\" \"There'll also be a full line of Mexican food available this year and I know there are lots of entries in the Horticulture Society's building where I'm also on the committee.That building has been restored, painted and a wonderful group of volunteers have spruced the whole place up with fresh paint, cleaned and scrubbed and displays well arranged so visitors can enjoy and appreciate the mounds of flowers and plants, baking and preserves, decorated cakes and the list of things to see is endless.This is also the place where maple and honey products are displayed along with field crops, forage and grains, corn and sunflowers.\u201d Saddle horses have been Royea's major pastime and now, with her daughter living next door, the Royeas will be competing in the light horse classes this year.\"I think a county fair is a great place.Not only is it a once-a-year meeting with old friends, but it's a great place to meet new people - take a city dweller on a tour, point out the sources of the foods we take for granted everyday and introduce townsfolk to the producers who are often second, third, fourth or fifth generations on a family farm,\u201d commented Royer.\u201cCounty fairs are still an important showplace for the best a region can produce and our priority is to persuade the next generation any fair's future will depend on them.We must not forget our faithful volunteers who seem to always turn up at just the right time.Many thanks to them, to our sponsors and supporters and especially to the public who set aside a day or two to come to the fair.\" T uesday , August 28 , 2018 Page 11 BROME COUNT Y NEWS BROME FAIR POUTRELLES 50 Rue Allen \u2022 Waterloo, Québec POUTRELLES TÉL: 450-539-1858 tech@adamgroup.com APPELLE-NOUS! CALL US! MURS-PRÉFABRIQUÉS FERMES DE TOIT FLOORS WALLS ROOFS 3 rue Victoria Lac Brome QC JOE 1V0 JILL GLOVER Courtier immobilier résidentiel Residential Real Estate Broker BUS: 450-242-2000 CELL: 450-531-2544 FAX: 450-243-0914 jillglover@royallepage.ca www.royallepageaction.ca Real Estate Agency Franchisé indépendant et autonome de Royal LePage Come see me at the fair! 450-242-2000 450-770-2163 450-243-0914 See you at the f air! R/ 3 rue Victoria, Knowlton, QC JOE 1VO BU OFFICE: : CELL AX F / TELE ingridwiener@royallepage.ca \u2022 www : .com .ingridwiener The future of the fairs By Claudia Villemaire There's a new approach taking shape as programs and activities are considered by organizers of the biggest of the six county fairs in the Eastern Townships.The focus is on the next generation, those youngsters who barely appreciate watching livestock circle a judge in the expo arena.Where does milk in plastic bags come from, or those hotdogs kids love especially at fair time?So, programs are changing slowly.New fun activities that introduce the younger set to where food actually comes from, setting up programs that encourage kids to join in, - food samples that could be sweet and fruity and participating in games and competitions especially designed for youngsters.This has been a pet project of the Entertainment and Education committee, a group of folks dedicated to finding ways to involve children and, at the same time, setting up a program of music that will keep young and young at heart swaying to the rhythms of country and old time music.Shannon McGovern, chairperson on this committee sparkles with enthusiasm.\"We've got a kiddies rodeo type activity set up where the bucking bronco class is actually a large ball, complete with a strap to hang on to and any child can try to ride that ball while swinging his legs, stampede style.Another gymkhana-style plan is giving the kids a stick horse and setting up a mini-barrel racing course.\" She went on, her enthusiasm unstoppable.\"We've got the helmets all lined up and every safety procedure taken care of.Out in center- field, four trampolines will be ready and waiting for anyone, any age to try their hand at bouncing up and high.\"They will have to put on a harness and there's a cable to make sure they don't fly over the edge,\u201d she explained.Of course, the Agri-Zone, now called the Farmer for a Day unit, has been revamped this year with the addition of a maple syrup production center complete with a miniature pan and a maple tree set up complete with taps and buckets the youngsters can explore.Keeping entertainment in mind, this intrepid educator, (I\u2019m a teacher and I love to teach), describes the new acoustic corner where mobile food trucks will be strategically placed, picnic tables welcoming young and old and the small acoustic stage where a wide variety of music styles and musicians will be in the spotlight all weekend.\"We'll also have what we call street performers.These are costumed persons and this year, we'll have a Zebra and a Tiger, both about nine feet tall.\" Apparently last year was the first time street performers browsed the fairgrounds during the fair and according to McGovern, were great favorites with the youngsters.\"And oh yes, we have the Brome Fair Store, located near the Main building where Brome Fair souvenirs, clothing and gift items at reasonable prices will be offered to the public.\" There's more entertainment than ever before coming to the fair this year.The original small stage, near the midway will not only feature local talent of all kinds but the traditional band concert by the Knowlton Harmony Band will also present their band concert.\"And probably not many people realize this but we have a Brome County Agriculture Society bursary fund which is awarded to Brome County graduate students who plan to continue their studies choosing agriculture or the environment.We are already accepting applications for this and that news will be later this fall,\" McGovern added.\"And we mustn't forget our baby chicks which will be in their fine poultry house near the office during the fair,\" she remembered.The project has been ongoing for several years no and has been successfully bringing incubators, complete with fertile eggs, to elementary school in the area.\"We find the lowers grades seem the most interested and teachers tell us of the students interest as they watch for cracking shells, the first peeping sounds and finally the emerging chick - not very pretty until they dry off and fluff up.\" The chicks are kept in the classroom until school is out for the summer and a local feed mill generously donates the necessary grains and sends someone along to explain the nutritional needs of the tiny chicks and shows the youngsters how to care and feed their charges.\u201cWe often see a youngster with a parent in tow, urging them to hurry and the first stop they make is at the chicken house at the fair,\" she said, laughing.\"They get so excited when they see how much these babies have grown since June and if there's any disappointment it's because they don't recognize perhaps the one or two they have named and probably hand fed.\u201d \"It's been a busy time,\" she admitted.\u201cBut I think we've got a super program set up that will appeal to all ages.We have shady trees lining many walkways, picnic tables wherever we could squeeze them and music all day long.Should be another great fair.\" Page 12 T uesday , August 28 , 2018 BROME FAIR BROME COUNT Y NEWS Teaching kids about food and farming starts early CLAUDIA VILLEMAIRE T uesday , August 28 , 2018 Page 13 BROME COUNT Y NEWS BROME FAIR Ernie Banks, past president - director.Gaylon Davis, past president, director. Page 14 T uesday , August 28 , 2018 BROME FAIR BROME COUNT Y NEWS En joy the f a i r ! Call now to fill-up your heating oil for the winter 227 Knowlton Rd.242-1122 Excavation \u2022 Demolition Road Construction Foundations \u2022 Drainage Septic Tanks \u2022 Lakes Lac Brome, Qc excavationchoiniere@gmail.com Tony Roux 450.242.2250 Greg Barr The office staff - Amanda Tryhorn, Guylaine Tetreault, Secretary, Cassidy Goyette and Julie- Anna Antique farm machinery is a stroll down memory lane for many.PHOTOS BY CLAUDIA VILLEMAIRE T uesday , August 28 , 2018 Page 15 BROME COUNT Y NEWS BROME FAIR Since / Depuis 1999 \u2022 Estimation Gratuites Enterprises Bates Forestry Services Services Forestiers Helping you enhance the productivity of your land Lonny Bates \u2022 Dunham, QC \u2022 3273 Bullard, Dunham, QC J0E IM0 \u2022 450-522-7046 PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS BRED FROM \u2018ON THE GROUND\u2019 EXPERIENCE FIEZ-VOUS À NOTRE \u2018EXPERIENCE-TERRAIN\u2019 We provide the services of forestry engineer \u2022 Tree Trimming & cutting \u2022 Site Preparation \u2022 Transport Selling full length fi re wood Nous fournissons les services d\u2019un ingénieur forestier \u2022 Abattage selectif d\u2019arbres \u2022 Préparation de terrain \u2022 Transport \u2022 Vente de bois de feu pleine longueur Music in the air at Brome fair By Claudia Villemaire There's no doubt about it - the 162nd Brome Fair will be remembered for the music.With a new mini-stage set up near the horse stables complete with picnic tables and a snack bar nearby plus a full program of music almost all day long, with a magician appearing now and then, this new shady corner probably will become a favorite stop as folks take the long stroll from midway or livestock stables to the heavy and light horse barns.Located near the race track fence in the area where the antique farm machinery once stood, secured with a new frost fence making a secure rest area, and with a new strengthened wall framing the area, this new mini-stage promises entertainment all day long.A look at the entertainment program proves that music plays a major role in weekend activities.With The Bounty Hunters sparking up the Friday night Barn dance in the Expo arena, local talent on the small stage near the midway as well as the Youth Talent Show scheduled for Saturday at 1 p.m.along with a variety of groups and bands and the River Town Saints on the big stage Saturday night.Taking a serious look at the program, folks from away just might find musicians from their corner of the Townships on the mini-stage.Here, the music will be quieter, more intimate, with the favorite country sounds Town- shippers love.\"I think this will quickly become a favorite spot, not only for the music but for the shade and a place to sit down, perhaps have a snack and watch for old friends passing by or even enjoy the heavy horse hitches going by or the harness races on Monday,\" Paul Santerre mused.\"We decided the antique machinery was getting pretty weather-beaten and didn't take too kindly to being moved every year.Oh yes, it's still here, however,\" he added pointing to the variety of antique equipment now lined up on a lower level.Entries in the heavy horse barn are up to par once again this year with two appearances of six-horse hitches on the program.But, lovers of fine quality horses of all sizes should perhaps take the time to come out to Brome on Thursday.This is the day for the purebred breeds competition, a sanctioned show presented by the government commission of Breed horses in Quebec.Admission is free this day and breeders arrive from across the province for the prestige winning here brings.Horse show fans could also notice the masquerade classes for youngsters and horses as well.They could choose to watch young people riding these steeds which often weigh a tonne or more and once seated on their back, the ground seems a long way down.With the track widened in front of the grandstand, roadster classes have the chance to really show off their driving skills, leaning into the end curves and allowing their four-wheeled buggy to power-slide onto the straight stretch.Performance classes in Western and English style, obstacle courses for both heavies and lights, hackney ponies, the high-steppers spectators wonder if they ever hit their chin and of course, the miniatures with their own version of obstacles, shown hitched double or single and perhaps there'll be a four-horse hitch too.Reading the program carefully is a must.Fairgoers can rest assured accessibility is a priority here and the annex at one end of the grandstand is built to accommodate handicapped folk.Capping the weekend of classes and performance is the traditional parade scheduled for 1p.m.Sunday with the evening once again filled with the music of River Town Saints at 8 p.m. Page 16 T uesday , August 28 , 2018 BROME FAIR BROME COUNT Y NEWS "]