Don't be surprised if you see Londoners walking around local parks looking like they are enjoying a day at the fair.
The first-ever virtual edition of the Western Fair gets underway on Friday and will continue until September 20. Using augmented reality (A.R.), fair enthusiasts can partake in fair themed adventures through their smartphones at 30 designated locations throughout London and some surrounding communities.
"The majority of the locations are parks or larger outdoor spaces. So that gives people the ability to find the location easily and also practice social distancing if multiple people happen to be at the location," said Western Fair spokesperson Greg Blanchard. "You can go at your leisure, you don't have to go at a designated time."
The traditional Western Fair was scrapped this year due to COVID-19. But through the Engage A.R App designed by London tech firm EXAR Studios, Londoners can still walk the midway, see animals and other agricultural exhibits, and take in local talent competitions. The app uses the camera on smartphones to alter what the user sees through its lens, transporting the user from the park to the fairgrounds.
"We have tried our best to replicate as many of the traditional elements of the fair as we can. Not everything translates easily into the virtual world," said Blanchard. "It's really cool based on the sneak peaks I saw. But I think it will be dramatically different when you are physically at one of the locations and experiencing it in the reality where you are. We've developed avatars for a few of our long time fair participants Cowboy Fred and Doo Doo the Clown and they will be walking you through some of the experiences."
Each day of the ten-day virtual fair will feature a different theme, including agriculture day on Sunday, throwback Thursday on September 17, music day on September 18, and midway day on September 19.
Those looking to enhance their virtual experience can do so by purchasing a Fair Food Box. Delivered directly to the buyer's home, the box is loaded with fair favourites including caramel corn, candy floss, fudge, beer nuts, candy apple, funnel cake, and jumbo pretzels. It also contains commemorative balloons. The boxes, available in small and large sizes, cost between $30 and $50 each, plus shipping and will be available throughout the duration of the fair through www.westernfair.ca.
Fair food will also be showcased during the Park it At The Market food truck night at the Western Fair Farmers’ Market on September 16. Among the trucks that will be on-site is the Western Fair ‘Graze N Go’ food mobile which will feature the winning selection from the "will it deep-fry?" contest that took place earlier this week on the fair's social media channels.
The Engage A.R App is free. Anyone who downloaded it ahead of time is reminded to get the update Friday, which will provide unlimited access to the virtual Western Fair.
For anyone already thinking about the return of the traditional fair in 2021, advanced tickets have already gone on sale through the fair's website.
"We thought it was important to remind people that we are already planning for next year. We are excited about it. We are going to make it bigger and better when we can finally meet in person," said Blanchard. "The total savings if you purchase in advance is around 35 per cent. It's good value."