WESTLOCK – After two summers of on-again, off-again COVID-19 restrictions, the 106th Westlock & District Agricultural Fair it set to make its triumphant return kicking off Friday, Aug. 19, with a not-to-be missed parade followed by a weekend of events ranging from a rodeo to chuckwagon and chariot races, then wrapping Sunday, Aug. 21, with a night of automotive carnage at the demo derby.
Ag society first vice-president Carl Larsen said it’s especially gratifying to see the fair return and gave kudos to the folks who stepped up earlier this year to fill much-needed director spots to ensure it would proceed. The fair has always held a special place in the hearts of all long-time Westlock-area residents and is the last, major event of the summer before school starts in September.
“We’re all pretty stoked that it’s happening again. We’ve had our noses down to the grindstone to make it a reality and another big success,” said Larsen. “It was great to see some people step up and take on the director roles and other responsibilities as it’s taken a big load off. It’s been encouraging for sure.”
As is tradition, the parade kicks off the three-day event, starting at 10:30 a.m., Friday, Aug. 19, and starts on 97th Street in the Southview area then turns left on to 100th Avenue and heads north into downtown on 100th Avenue. It then turns east on to 106th Street, then right on to 103rd Avenue and finally right on to 104th Street — see the map above. For those who won’t be able to attend in person, a livestream of the event will be available starting at 10:30 a.m. at: https://youtu.be/TyRbERDvdYk.
The ag grounds will be the centre for much of the action for the rest of the weekend, with the trade show, hall exhibits and face painting in the ag barn and a petting zoo and bouncy houses on site there — see the schedule of events above for more. The remainder of the day features a draft horse pull at the track south of the Rotary Spirit Centre from 3-4:30 p.m. to be followed by the chuckwagon and chariot races at 6 p.m. at the same location.
The bulk of the weekend’s action is slated for Saturday, Aug. 20, with the beef cattle show running from 11 to 4 p.m. at the south show ring, while the tractor museum will be open Saturday and Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The rodeo kicks off at noon and runs to 4 p.m. just south of the Rotary Spirit Centre, with the horseshoe tournament slated to start at 1 p.m. at the pits north of Keller Field. A variety talent show is also planned from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., while a tractor pull starts at 4 p.m. at the ag barn field and the chuckwagon and chariot races start at 6 p.m. back at the main track.
Sunday starts with a free pancake breakfast at the ag office from 9-11 a.m. with the light horse show from 9-11 a.m. at the west show ring. Rodeo slack is from 9-10 a.m. followed by the continuation of the chuckwagon and chariot races at 10 a.m.
Games 2 and 3 in the North Central Alberta Baseball League semifinal between the Westlock Red Lions and Fort Saskatchewan Reds go at 1 and 4 p.m. Sunday — Game 3 will only be played if the series tied 1-1.
The finals of the rodeo run from 1 to 3 p.m. and will be followed by the demolition derby at the same location — set-up for that event starts at 4 p.m. with action to follow.
