Hurricane Fiona not only devastated the northern end of Nova Scotia is also cut short the reopening of the Queens County Fair.
It was the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic residents enjoyed a full showing of agricultural displays and the horse and ox pulls.
Queens County Fair Secretary and manager Doreen Holdright says when they realized Fiona was going to shut them down, organizers quickly reshuffled the schedule to ensure the most popular pull events would go ahead.
Holdright says exhibitors rolled out following the pulls to get their animals home to safety before the winds hit.
In addition to the regular exhibits, she explains community spirit was also on display this year.
“The Fire Chief called and wanted to know if we needed help put stuff away. He sent down a bunch of men in a vehicle and we got our garbage cans and all that, anything that might blow around, they helped get it all undercover and got the buildings all locked up and secured," said Holdright. "It just went so smooth we have been a lot, a few more hours getting it done if we hadn't had their help,”
Holdright says it’s unfortunate a lot of the musical entertainment had to be cancelled but the board is thinking they may try to make it up.
“That was one of the things that we do specifically for the seniors because, you know that that's what they enjoy. So, we missed quite a bit of the musical entertainment which disappointed them but they were very understanding.," said Holdright. "So, somewhere down the line we might do a little music in the dining room or something like that through the winter.”
She says organizers are looking ahead to next year and thinking about bringing back more events for younger people.
“Well, we used to do a farmers Olympics and we haven't done that for a few years. So, we’re thinking along those lines. It would be, like, relay races and an all related basically to agriculture”
Holdright says over the past few years a number of young families have moved to the area and organizers want to welcome the next generation to come out and enjoy the Queens County Fair.
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