The largest fall fair in Lambton County will return to Brigden this Thanksgiving long weekend.
Gates at the Brigden Fairgrounds open at 9 a.m. on Friday with the official opening ceremonies scheduled for 11:30 a.m.
As per usual, Friday will include an educational component for students who have a PA Day.
"We're setting up stations to try and educate them on where their milk comes from, where their loaf of bread comes from, their bacon, their T-bone steaks," said Spokesperson Dennis Robinson. "Anything related to agriculture, we want to try to demonstrate to them and show them what agriculture is all about."
Traditional exhibits and shows, such as the tractor pull and animal shows, will take place throughout the weekend. Robinson said there will also be a dinosaur park walk-through exhibit and 17 midway rides on-site.
Admission fees alter slightly throughout the weekend. During the day on Friday, elementary school students are free and adults will pay $5 to enter the fairgrounds until 5 p.m. From Saturday through Monday, adult admission will be $10.
"We are experimenting with cashless machines so please bear with us," Robinson said. "Come with cash but if you care to use a debit card, we are experimenting and hope that it works to get you in and out as quickly as possible."
Robinson said there is a lot of free parking at the fairgrounds so there is no need to park far from the fair. Lambton OPP also reminded attendees of the no parking zones near the fair.
It's estimated that over 40,000 people attend the annual Brigden Fall Fair over its four days.
Robinson said the first recorded Brigden Fair took place in 1850. The Thanksgiving tradition was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The midway opens daily at 10 a.m. Other highlights include the Great Canadian Lumberjack Show, Baby Show, Pumpkin Catapult and the Western Ontario Outlaws Lawnmower Races. A full event schedule can be found on the Brigden Fair's website.
The Brigden Fair Demolition Derby will be held on October 14, beginning at 1 p.m. Gate admission is $10 for everyone except elementary and preschool children who are free.