Fall fair. September 27, 2016. (File photo from the Forest fall fair's Facebook page)Fall fair. September 27, 2016. (File photo from the Forest fall fair's Facebook page)
Sarnia

Plans in place for a big or small Forest Fall Fair

The Forest Fall Fair will be one of the few autumn festivals running this year.

Everett Moons, general manager of Forest Agri Services Ltd. and past president of the Forest Fair Board, said the plan is to go ahead with the fair on September 24-26, but it will be different than previous years.

He said some committees are hesitant to hold their usual activities due to various reasons but it's too early to specify which committees are bowing out.

"Our goal is to have as much as we can," said Moons. "We don't know what September will look like. But the midway company is coming, they won't have as many rides as they normally do because a lot of them haven't come out of storage."

Moons also said the demolition derby is still scheduled for September 26 and bands are lined up to perform at the beer tent.

"All of this is dependent on being out of Phase 3," said Moons.

Under current provincial restrictions, outdoor gatherings associated with an establishment is capped at 5,000 people. If for whatever reason, Ontario remains in Stage 3 by the end of September, Moons said there are plans to hold a smaller version of the fair.

If necessary, the number of attendees will be counted going in and out of the fairgrounds. But it's something Moons hopes won't be necessary.

He also said organizers are aware that the event may be very popular this year.

"Quite frankly, it scares the crap out of most of us [with] the size it could get to be," he said. "We're trying to get all of our ducks in a row in that respect and be prepared for big but also be prepared to be restricted and to be smaller."

The Forest Fair Board recently received $50,000 in provincial funding, dispersed by the Ontario Trillium Foundation. Moons said the funding comes at a good time as they prepare for their biggest event of the year.

He said the funding will be used to expand the kitchen space, which was already "cozy" to begin with.

"Post-COVID there isn't enough room in there to have enough people working to properly cater events or even to service our main event, which is the fair," said Moons. "So ideally, when we're done this, we'll be better equipped for safe workspaces, better sanitation, and social distancing if it's required."

Moons said further updates regarding the fair will be posted on social media.

The 2021 Petrolia and EnniskillenPlympton-Wyoming and Brigden fall fairs were cancelled earlier this year.

Read More Local Stories