Brenda O’Farrell
The Advocate
Where does a community keep its history?
Some would argue it is pressed between the pages of books stored on dusty shelves. Some would venture it is heard in the echoes of architecture, between the cracks of well-worn floors in buildings first erected in what is now commonly referred to as “the centre of town.” While others would point to the well-mowed cemetery, where the engravings on the stones mark the names and dates of all those who came before.
But in some farming communities, history is found in its traditions. And there is no tradition in Quebec that has more history than the Lachute fair.
Of all the agricultural fairs in the province, the Lachute Expo holds a unique title: It’s the oldest. It also holds title to being the second oldest in Canada. And this year it is marking a milestone. For when the gates open next month, and the midway is fired up with all the lights and music, the Lachute fair will be celebrating its 200th anniversary.
In fact, this fair dates back before Confederation to 1825, making it exactly the same age as the Lachine Canal, which lays claim to being the oldest canal in Canada and was the first link in a network of canals that made the St. Lawrence River a navigable trade route.
So for such a major anniversary, organizers have a lot in store this year.
“It’s an event to mark,” said Marcel Deschamps, secretary-treasurer of the Société d’Agriculture d’Argenteuil, which organizes the annual event, “but the standard format of the fair will not change.”
To accommodate all the attractions and the thousands of visitors expected, the agricultural society has opted to spread the celebration over two weekends this year.
The kick-off is set for Friday, July 4, with an outdoor country music concert featuring the Recklaws and Matt Lang.
Deschamps said the concert is expected to draw about 5,000 spectators to the fairground’s bandstand.
Then, on the following weekend – from Thursday, July 10, to Sunday, July 13 – the fair really gets going, with everything from midway rides, to a demolition derby, a monster truck show, an antique tractor pull, heavy horse competitions, light horse competitions and farm animal shows.
“There is something for everyone,” Deschamps said.
About 12,000 visitors are expected, he said.
And while the shows and derbies unfold, visitors of all ages will be able to take in the agricultural aspects of the fair. This includes seeing the animals in the barns.
Deschamps said the Producteurs de lait du Québec will be on site, offering children ice cream and explaining how the province’s farmers get milk to kitchen tables; officials with École-O-Champ, a Quebec-based non-profit dedicated to educating children about agriculture, will be on hand; while a farm-safety-themed treasure hunt will have kids and their parents visiting the barns on the fairgrounds to track down answers and win prizes.
And every evening, the fair offers a long list of musical acts to keep everyone entertained on a summer’s evening.
The Expo Lachute Fair runs from Thursday, July 10, until Sunday, July 13, at the fair grounds, 280-296 Gougeon St., Lachute. Admission fees range from $20 to $37, depending on when you buy your tickets and for what day. Four-day passes are also available. To consult a full roster of scheduled events, go to expolachutefair.com