Westmorland County Agricultural Fair 2009

President Lee J. Burgess was glad to welcome all fair goers to the 2009 Fair. The theme of the fair and parade this year was "Back to Our Roots."

The theme was chosen to honour the man who had a dream for local people and farmers to show their summer's work from their gardens and fields. In 1967 Willian (Bill) Balzer went to Frederiction to obtain a Centennial Grant to begin a Petitcodiac Fair Exhibit Hall.

In 1971 Fred McKillop, who was then Mayor of Petitcodiac, Hilda MacPherson and Marjorie Dickie joined Bill and his dream. Another trip to Frederiction, this time to have the Fair incorporated as the Westmorland County Agric. Fair. This year to honour Bill and his dream, a sign was unveiled at the Exhibit Hall.

One of the first Directors, Herb Keirstead was chosen to be the Parade Marshall. Herb grew up in Havelock, N.B. and has lived in the Village of Petitcodiac since 1954. He and his wife Shirley raised three sons and one daughter, and their family has now grown to include five grandchildren. Herb is retired from Canada Cement Lafarge and throughout his life has always been very involved in his community. Herb was on the committee that started the first Westmorland County Agricultural Fair in 1967. He organized the light horse show for several years. He himself has been involved with horses and horse shows as a competitor, organizer, ringmaster, judge and inspector for the Canadian Sport Horse.

Keeping with the theme the queen of the 1971 Fair Cathy McQuinn, her two princesses Ruth Alward and Terri Sanford took front row and center in the parade.

Youth from the farming communities are important to the life and continuance of any Agricultural Fair. Rob Tait, of Salisbury, organized the Westmorland 4H Club and the Salisbury 4H Club in their efforts of displaying 4H projects they've been involved with throughout the year.

The Fair got off to a musical start on August 2nd. in the Village Arena. Here the crowd was treated to gospel music songs by a southern gospel male quartet who call themselves "From The Cross." The quartet consists of Bruce Johnson, Terry MacKinnon, Don Chapman and Ron Kammermann, all are from the Moncton area.

A fun night was the kids Pig Scramble, and all the little pigs were donated by the Metz Farm in Cannan.

Arbing Equipment from Sussex was a great help to the fair as they donated the use of some of their equipment in various venues.

Also, Bremner Farms of Lutes Mountain brought equipment to assist in many ways.

To end the fair was the show of fireworks. The Westmorland County Agricultural Fair partnered with Hinchey's Rides and Amusements, from Sydney, Nova Scotia, to make the night a memorable one.