Feature Article August 28, 2002
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110th Parham Fairby Doreen HowesFine weather blessed the 110th Parham Fair, except for a shower late Friday afternoon which upset the schedule of events somewhat. The Cowboy Mounted Shooting Exhibition by Annie Bianco-Ellett went on as planned. After her appearance here last year, her show was anticipated with great excitement and she did not disappoint. Some local shooters got involved too.The Pet Show is a much-loved event, organized and carried out by Karyn Roberts, who each year oversees the registration, arranges for judges, and sees that ribbons and prize money are handed out. Amid the usual dogs and cats, fish, rabbits and frogs, this year the most unusual pet was a ferret, shown by Candice Hemmaway, youngest girl exhibitor was Jade Robinson and youngest boys were Kacan Marceia and Nathan Lowery. Many thanks to Karyn for maintaining this event for so many years to delight the kids and adults too!
The great event of the day followed - the horse draw. In the light team competition (under 3300 lb.) 1st went to Rob Monroe, Lanark; 2nd -Randy Mitchell, Middleville; 3rd- Barb Spafford, Honeywell Corners. In the heavy teams (over 3300 lbs) 1st was won by Clint Fletcher, Joyceville; 2nd - Merv Plaunt, Smith Falls; 3rd - Ed Roswell, Elgin; 4th - Bill Lee, Parham; 5th -R Hermer, Perth; and 6th-S. Nesbitt, Omeemee. The sponsoring horse draw organization thanks all who participated, also to those people who donated money, prizes and help. At the official opening on Friday evening Mel Good received three awards, all for 50 years of service in the Agricultural Societys production of a fall fair. These awards came from three levels of government: the first from Central Frontenacs mayor, Bill MacDonald; the second from South Frontenac mayor and chairman of the Frontenac Management Board Phil Leonard, an old friend; and the third from Leona Dombrowsky, MPP for our electoral region. Mel said he had enjoyed every minute of the 50 years. There was also musical entertainment by the Old Tyme Fiddlers.Saturday featured a cattle show, with Lloyd Orser and family from Sydenham having the largest number of dairy cattle, and they won the high point dairy trophy. In the beef department Jeff Peters had the largest number of animals and won the high point beef trophy. Parham did not have a 4H calf club this year but two groups from South Frontenac, a dairy 4H Club led by Lloyd Orser, and a beef 4H Club, led by Lorne Orser, put on a great show, presenting their calves and showing off their showmanship skills. At an old-time 4H Show for graduates of 4H (many years overage), Jeff Peters displayed his winning skills from some time past.
The high point pony trophy went to Jessica Neadow and the high point horse trophy to Carrie Allan.Mel Good reported some special winners:
1. Oldest car on the grounds (78 Pontiac)- Reg Allan
2. Longest married couple- Fred and Joyce Smith
3. Largest family present- Rita Bush
4. Newest married couple- Mr. & Mrs. Andy Robinson
5. Oldest gentleman, Neal Clark (88)
6. Youngest baby - Kescan Aniel (4 weeks)
7. Couple married 25 years- Ford & Donelda Robinson
8. Persons from greatest distance: Lyle Cronk, Cutknife, Sask, and Sveta Zuakalski from Belarusa.
Again on Saturday, Karyn Roberts had organized sports events for young people. There was a pie eating contest which Callum McGregor almost lost to Savannah Cronk and Candice Hemmaway; a nail driving contest; and the famous egg toss, a perennial favorite. There were all kinds of races - marshmallow, wheelbarrow, 3-legged, bubble gum chewing and sack race.
Frank Goodfellows poultry show had fewer exhibits than most years - 112 birds shown by 4 exhibitors. The best in show was won by Frank Goodfellow with a white Plymouth Rock pullet. Reserve champion went to Bill Bracken with a white Call Duck, Frank always manages to show off the birds in an attractive setting.
On Saturday afternoon there was Team penning. This event, held at fairs for many years, uses heifers direct from pasture that can run as fast as the horses trying to pen them, at least for a short distance. On Saturday evening, gospel blues and jazz singer Rhonda Spurrell, one time Verona resident, was the featured entertainer Gospel singers Rose Express entertained as well.
Thanks to the Anglican and United Churches for their fast food booths; both are long serving groups. Unfortunately, at this time, results from the many exhibits inside the palace are unavailable. Many thanks to David Brison for the pictures he took at the Friday part of the show - worth many thousand words, as pictures always are, in expressing the moods and excitement at an event like a fair where people and animals are put together in various ways for the enjoyment of both.
