The 107th Rochester Annual Fair will happen at the Rochester fairgrounds Aug. 11, with activities set throughout the day.
Some of the activities include lawn-tractor racing, the Valley Rally remote-control racing, a bird and bunny showcase, a chilli cook-off, 3-D barrel racing, mutton busting, a parade, as well as a steak dinner.
The event is being hosted once again by the Rochester and District Agricultural Society. Penny Joseph, one of the fair directors, said the society has been running the fair for the past six decades.
“We try to keep things fresh every year,” Joseph said. “This year, we are having a bit of a kick-off on Aug. 10, with some fun family games happening at the Redneck Cafe located downtown. The cafe will also be serving up $2 hot dogs from 12 to 4 p.m. That’s just one of the new activities we are hosting for the first time this year.”
Joseph added that other new activities for this year are the lawn-tractor races and the remote-control racing at their ball diamond.
“The lawn-tractor racing first came about when friends of ours first started a club out in Valleyview,” she said. “We talked to them, and they showed us a few videos. That’s when we decided that it looks like fun, and then decided to include it here in Rochester.”
Joseph said the remote-control racing was a result of the society looking for activities for the 16-24 age group.
“My son first came up with this idea,” she said. “We decided that we would five it a shot, to see how it goes. If this activity does become popular, my son said he could be looking at forming a remote-control racing club in the area.”
Joseph said that some familiar activities will also be returning as well.
“Our parade will be held at 11 a.m. on August 11,” she said. “As well, our chilli cook-off will begin at high noon. It has become quite a popular event over the last few years.”
As well, she said the society has put on some rodeo events over the last few years, too.
“There will be some ladies barrel racing, as well as some mutton-busting for the kids too,” Joseph said. “Both events are fun for the whole family to have, and we have seen an increase in attendance after putting those two activities in.”
She added people come in from Edmonton, St. Albert and Sherwood Park to take in what the fair has to offer.
“Some of our local people have families who live out in the city,” Joseph said. “They spread the word among our relatives, and they also take some posters and put them around the city as well.”
She said that this year’s theme for the fair is saluting Canada’s military troops.
“With everything that is going on, we thought that it would be a great way to say thank you to all the veterans and our military personnel that do so much for us,” Joseph said. “You can never say thank you too much for what they do.”
She mentioned that the some of the activities will have military-themed elements into it.
“Our remote-control races will have some military vehicles in there,” she continued. “As well, during our Aug. 10 kick-off, there will be an obstacle course for the kids to run through.”
Joseph said they specifically invited local military families out to enjoy the festivities.
“It would be great to have a military presence out here,” she said. “There is the air force base in Cold Lake, an army garrison stationed in Edmonton, as well as some legion halls located in several of our local communities. The area does have a military history that needs to be cherished.”
A jamboree will take place from 12:30 to 5 p.m., with music coming from Athabasca-area band, Emile Kryvenchuk and the Good Old Boys. A steak dinner is set for 5 p.m.
Editor's note: The print version reported the wrong price for the hot dogs to be served at the cafe from 12 to 4 p.m. The hot dogs are $2 each. The Advocate apologizes for the error.
