Squashing the competition?
Bringing the community together through horticulture and more
The Ayer’s Cliff Fair has long been a tradition that unites the community through a shared appreciation of horticulture, baking, and preserving. This year’s event promises to be no different, with organizers like Tricia Smith working hard to ensure its success. In an Aug. 19 interview, Smith provided a detailed look into what the fair offers, the kinds of entries expected, and the important role it plays in keeping local traditions alive.
The horticultural displays at the fair are a key highlight, attracting exhibitors from all over the area. “A lot of locals, a lot of the town people who grew up coming to the fair, like to see their own personal stuff displayed,” said Smith. This year, her focus was on vegetables and baking, both of which are seeing strong participation. “We’re going to have a full house with baking, and the vegetables have done really well this year,” Smith noted.
One of the reasons behind the strong vegetable showing was the favourable weather. While last year’s rainy summer led to some issues, this year was more balanced. “Not as much rain as last summer,” Smith explained, allowing vegetables to thrive, even though the hot weather caused some flowers to peak early and reduce their presence at the fair.
In terms of judging, Smith explained that local residents are typically chosen as judges, and they usually serve for two years. The judging criteria varies depending on the category, but consistency and presentation are key. “For example, in the zucchini category, you look for uniformity. You want them to be the same size and without any blemishes,” she explained. The same principle applies across other categories, whether it be vegetables or baked goods.
Baking, in particular, had seen a surge in entries, which Smith attributes to an incentive system the fair introduced a few years ago. “If you exhibit at least five entries in our building, your weekend pass is almost half price,” she said. This system encourages more participation, with baking entries reaching impressive numbers. “Just in the adult baking, we have already received 275 entries,” she shared, adding that the number was so high that they had to bring in a second judge to handle the workload.
In addition to vegetables and baking, preserves remain a staple at the fair. “We have a lot of preserves, jams, jellies, and relishes,” said Smith. These categories are popular among the older generations, who take pride in their homemade creations. Like with baking and horticulture, the fair fosters friendly competition in these categories, with some friends even competing against each other to see who outdoes who.
While vegetables and baking are thriving, the flower entries declined this year. “Unfortunately, we are going to see fewer flowers,” Smith lamented, attributing this to the hot weather causing many flowers to bloom early and be past their peak by the time of the fair. However, the flower displays that did make it will be judged with the same care and attention as any other category.
Smith explained that there are specific classes for flowers, with some focusing on arrangements. “For example, one arrangement might be called Sunset Melody, and the requirement would be to use five different tones and colours of cut flowers that resemble a sunset,” she elaborated.
The fair also relies on a dedicated team of volunteers to keep everything running smoothly. “We’re really lucky to have about 20 people on the horticultural team,” said Smith. This close-knit group works together to ensure that all aspects of the horticultural and baking displays will be well-organized, from accepting entries to ensuring everything is ready for judging.
Despite the hard work, the fair remains open and inclusive. “Years ago, fairs were just for specific areas, but we’ve opened ours up to anyone in the Eastern Townships,” Smith explained. This change helped attract more participants and spectators, making the fair a more vibrant event for everyone involved.
Smith noted potential exhibitors should register early, though last-minute entries are still accepted. “We open from eight to ten on Friday morning, but all entries must be in by 10 a.m. for judging,” she reminded. While the winners will receive ribbons rather than monetary prizes, the sense of accomplishment and recognition is a reward in itself. “We also do fundraisers to help pay for prize money and make improvements to our building,” Smith added.
Smith said in a year where many fairs and festivals are struggling to find volunteers or maintain participation, the Ayer’s Cliff Fair stands out as a thriving community event. Thanks to dedicated organizers like her and the support of local residents, this year’s fair is set to be another success, filled with beautiful displays, tasty treats, and the continuation of beloved traditions.