Fall in the Kawarthas isn’t the same without an agricultural fair and, after going virtual last year due to the pandemic, the Lindsay Exhibition (LEX) will be taking place in person in 2021 — running an extra five days to allow for limited capacity due to physical distancing.
The 167th annual fair will open on Friday, September 17th and run for a full 10 days until Sunday, September 26th. It will feature traditional favourites including midway rides and games, fair food, livestock shows, a demolition derby, and a country music concert.
To keep the fair COVID-safe, capacity limits will be in place for buildings and the grandstand and people will be required to wear masks indoors and at the grandstand shows, including at the country music concert. All midway staff will be required to be fully vaccinated.
“We tried to find a balance between holding an authentic Lindsay Exhibition with all the elements that people expect and minimizing the risk of spreading the COVID-19 virus,” states LEX general manager Harry Stoddart in a media release. “We will be meeting or exceeding all the regulations put in place by the Ontario government and the Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit.
Other events returning to the 2021 fair include The WoofJocks Canine All-stars, DooDoo the Clown, and Amberley Beatty’s Patsy Cline tribute show — part of an entertainment line-up that will also include a number of local bands and entertainment acts.
New events for 2021 include evening rodeos, a market turkey show, and a horse scenting demonstration — horses trained to locate people in search and rescue.
“We’re excited by the possibility of holding a traditional LEX and giving our community and exhibitors something to enjoy during these challenging times,” says Lois Batty, president of the Lindsay Agricultural Society, which hosts the annual fair with the help of volunteers.
“We already have 25 teams committed to the horse pull, almost double the field we had in 2019. We’ve been planning for almost a year to be able to hold as safe an event as possible during the pandemic.’
Tickets are free on September 17 and 20 to 22, $5 on September 18, 19, and 23, and $10 on September 24 to 26. Admission is always free for children five and under.
Tickets are $10 (in admission to fair admission) for the Demo Cross, Rodeo, and Demo Derby.
Tickets for the Friday night concert at 7:30 p.m., featuring the James Barker Band with opening act Andrew Hyatt, are $40 (ticket price includes $10 LEX admission on Friday).
To accommodate COVID-19 capacity limits, all tickets (including free tickets) must be purchased online in advance.
Coupons for the midway, presented by World’s Finest Shows, are only available in person at the midway (no advance passes).
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit lindsayex.com.
The story has been updated to include ticket prices.
