This one was for Bill – Parham Fair 2015

Jeff Green | Aug 26, 2015

The Friday night horse pull is a signature event at the Parham Fair, and this year was no exception. Long before the demolition derby or even the midway were part of the fair, the horse pull filled the stands.

It is a mesmerizing sight: the horses champing at the bit as their owners pull them back before they simultaneously drop the clasp in place, loosen the reins and jump out of the way as the horses bolt forward and begin pulling on thousands of pounds of concrete slabs stacked on a sleigh that is almost embedded in the soft, brown earth.

And of the people behind the horses, who feed and train and live with the horses year round, the king of them all in the Godfrey/Parham area has to be Bill Lee. Bill has won the horse pull countless times, and when he is not working on his own team he helps less experienced horsemen handle their horses.

He not only participates in the Parham Fair each year, but at other fairs too, as well as in the annual Christmas parades. Also, when any charity or organization needs a team of horses for wagon rides, Bill has always been the one they call.

About a month ago, Bill Lee suffered a serious accident while training his horses. He lost an eye and his face and body are battered. It was hard to imagine the Parham Fair Horse Pull without him, but thankfully that did not happen. Although he wasn't in the pull, he nevertheless made it to the fair, having almost forced his way out of Kingston General Hospital earlier in the week. He sat in a lawn chair next to his car by the announcer’s booth at the main ring, and visited with dozens of friends while shouting encouragement to the teams throughout the light and heavy horse pulls.

There were a dozen teams in the heavy horse pull this year, more than have participated in many years. Over $2,500 was raised on Friday night to help Bill out. Some of that money came from the fair board, which donated $1 from each Friday night admission fee. The Teamsters (Ottawa Valley Horse Pull Association) donated $900 and the rest of the money came from passing the bucket at the fair.

Other highlights on Friday night included the cowboy/cowgirl contest, and a performance by the Old Habits, followed by HD Supply.

Saturday was Family Day at this year's fair, and through a combination of new features - no charge for all of the events aside from midway rides, all-day fixed price passes to the midway, and brilliant weather - the fair was packed with kids this year.

One of the highlights was the Critter Corral, which was put together by Sasha Baillargeon of 4th Lake Road.

“It was really something,” said Fair Board President Wendy Parliament. “The old chicken barn was set up as a farm playground that was packed with animals. The kids went in there and didn't want to come out.”

Aside from the corral, there was a sheep shearing demonstration, a robotic cow from the Ontario Dairy Association that people could milk, and country games all afternoon.

“We are focusing on hands-on events for kids and families, and keeping the price down, and it seems to be working,” said Parliament.

This year, Sunday saw the return of the Demolition Derby to the Parham Fair.

When the derby did not take place last year because there weren't enough volunteers around with skills and strength to prepare for and put on a derby, some of the perennial participants missed it. So, they came forward and were instrumental in bringing it back.

“Dustin and Alan Kehoe and Spencer Robinson stepped in and put machinery and manpower to work and we had 19 cars, all local, in the derby this year, which was a great success,” said Parliament.

The fair has taken a turn towards local entertainers as well; Shawn McCullough and One Busted Ego were the headline bands on Saturday night.

Wendy Parliament said that over 60 volunteers, working anywhere from one hour to four full days, made the fair a success this year. The fair has also broken even this year and in a month or so, organising for the 2016 (124th) edition will start up.

Anyone who is interested in getting involved in some aspect of the fair is encouraged to go to parhamfair.ca and click on the contact link.