Many participants and organizers agree that the most anticipated event of the Orillia Fall Fair is the demolition derby.
This year, although the date was moved to later in the fall, the weather was on everyone’s side. ODAS Park was packed with people enjoying the sunny skies and entertainment.
“It’s been a nice turn out and beautiful weather,” said Janine Wood, one of the directors of the Fall Fair. She noted that the grand finale on Sunday, the demolition derby, is always a big hit.
However, she remarked also that “people are happy that the midway is back.” For the past four years, due to timing and competing with other fairs in the area, the Orillia Fall Fair had been without one. They substituted bringing inflatables in previous years.
Also popular with the younger crowd were the farm animals.
Kevin Moore has been involved with the Orillia Fall Fair since 1979. He suspected over the first couple of days this year he saw over 1,000 children pass through, getting to pet the animals.
“They’re all from local farms,” he noted of the animals, adding next year will also have a cattle show. From pigmy goats and calves to an alpaca, there was something to learn about them all. Moore put one young fellow to the test asking how many stomachs a cow has.
Both Moore and Wood mentioned next year it would be nice to see more entries for the crafts, vegetables and exhibits. They do both believe this year was quite successful with “big crowds."
Many attendees enjoyed the vendors and carnival rides. This year brought more variety of vendors, with more than 42 setting up their wares at ODAS Park. From hot sauces to baked goods, jewellery and T-shirts, a number of first-time vendors said they are already excited to return next year.
Sonia Jordanov has been baking all her life but started Knits and Sweets a year-and-a-half ago. She has been to multiple fairs, though this is her first time at the Orillia Fall Fair.
“It amazes me, it’s a different community,” she said “I absolutely love it.”
Among other decadent treats, Jordanov makes traditional Macedonian cookies - of which each household has a different recipe - and thumbprint cookies, which she tried for the first time over a year ago and thought “these must be at my table.”
For those looking to be challenged and the adrenaline seekers, there were the carnival attractions. Many children had a great time testing their strength with the hammer game or their driving skills with the mini pedal tractor pulls.
Barbara and Kassandra Ianiero moved to the area two years ago. This was their first time at the Orillia Fall Fair and they said they were “loving it,” as they waited to get on the Ferris wheel.
By 2 p.m. it was easy to see where the main entertainment was. The direction of the crowd went straight to the demolition derby grounds.
"It's definitely the highlight," said Sandi Waddell, whose grandson and nephew both entered in the highly anticipated event.
Her nephew, Maxwell Payne, is 16 and was excited to be competing for his first year.
“My dad’s been doing this a long time,” he said, so this year he got himself a car for $300, changed the battery, fixed the fuel cell, cables and box, put plates on the door with the number 35 and was ready to enter.
The beautiful weather was perfect for showing off all the different vehicles. They all left with a prize for best decorated since the judges had a hard time deciphering the loudest cheers.
Another derby competitor, Krystal Hewitt, has attended the Orillia Fall Fair since she was a child.
“This was a bucket list item,” she said, explaining her partner is a mechanic and her friend is already involved in multiple derbies. This was her second year working with the same sponsor, Edge Motorsports, though her first in Orillia.
There were, however, many children in the Powerwheels segment of the derby who won't need to make it their bucket list item. They cruised in and out of the track with as much confidence as any adult.
The displays entered were also an attraction to some. Marina Slipachenko and her two sons observed the veggies and crafts placed along the tables awarded with ribbons.
“We’re very lucky,” she said. They love attending fairs every year and, travelling from Bracebridge, they missed the Huntsville and Bracebridge Fall Fairs this year. So the timing of the Orillia Fair at a later date was in their favour.
“With the colours changing later, it really feels like fall and we’re really happy we came to the fair,” said Slipachenko.
Scales Nature Park also had a table set up with turtles and snakes. The delightful crew of reptile enthusiasts made it hard not to learn something about local species and the habitats they reside in. This was their second year and they plan to be back.
For the future of the Orillia Fall Fair, Wood said they have guaranteed the midway and the standard date moving forward will be the first weekend in October.
