Every year we have different shows, demonstrations and competitions but also quite a few will come back every year. The photos below are an overview of the type of shows, demonstrations and competitions we have had over the years.
Horse and livestock shows
We typically organize horse shows in which local competitors can show their skills. We have held jumping events, barrel racing events and Gymkhanas in the past, but also some halter classes, where horse owners show their horse from the ground.
We typically have English and Western classes. In English and Western equitation for example, the rider is judged higher than the horse on their position, balance, and timing of their aids/cues to ask the horse for changes of direction or speed. In Hunter over Fences is an English class, the horse and rider are judged on how smoothly and elegantly they move as a balanced team over a simple course of jumps. We also typically like to do some fun classes where there is room for a water relay, pole bending, barrels and even stick horse classes. These classes are fun for everyone to watch. We typically have some driving classes as well. We will soon have more information on what to expect at the 2023 Fair.
We also have stock shows. For cows and sheep and goats these shows are live, so if you like to see how farmers try to show their best animals on a halter, that is definitely a fun thing to see. Just see when the events take place in the prize list and go to the round show pen In front of the Cattle Barn.
We typically organize a Beef Show, 4H Beef Club Show, and Dairy Show, with the beef shows on Sunday and the Dairy shows on Monday. Sheep and Goats will be led around the ring on Sunday.
Other livestock is typically judged the day before the first day of the Fair and you can visit all the farm animals in their lodgings for the weekend. The ribbons will tell you how they scored according to the judges. Expect to see pigs, chickens, turkeys, ducks, and rabbits.
Demonstrations
We have had many interesting demonstrations at the Hymers Fair in the past. We have had police dog demonstrations and we have had someone tell the public what is involved in driving with oxen, but we also have hosted demonstrations of crafts such as spinning and weaving. Members of the tired iron club often had their displays of old tractors, cars and engines.
We are currently doing our planning for the 2023 fair so please come back to find out more details here later.
Competitions
If you like to compete, we always have a few competitions, even for the last-minute Fair visitor! We have hosted nail driving competitions and usually have all kinds of fun daily contests you can sign up for. See the preliminary info below for 2023!
If you are a gardener or like to do crafts, see what other things you can sign up for a little bit more in advance on our Prize List page. If you like to compete from horseback or from the ground with livestock, this is your chance as well to enter in one of the many options we offer this year. Many local competitors are really good at what they do, but there is also room to enter to a competition as a “newbie” to just see what it is like. There is room for first-time competitors and we cheer them on just as much as the seasoned ones.
2023 Contests – Preliminary info
DAILY CONTESTS that everyone can enter – Enter at the Gazebo.
- OLDEST PERSON ON THE GROUNDS
- GRANDPARENT WITH THE MOST GRANDCHILDREN ON THE GROUNDS
- PERSON TRAVELLING THE GREATEST DISTANCE
- MOST RECENTLY MARRIED COUPLE
- YOUNGEST BABY ON THE GROUNDS
- COUPLE MARRIED THE LONGEST
- NAIL DRIVE CONTEST (entry fee) held by the Exhibit Hall
- HAY TOSS (entry fee) held by the Hilltop stage
Contests held on the grounds
- SPORTS / RACES for the kids, held in front of the small animal barn
- MUTT SHOW
Contests held at the HILLTOP STAGE for Kids
- BEST DRESSED COWBOY/COWGIRL CONTEST
- SUNFLOWER AND ZUCCHINI CONTESTS – (Zucchinis will be donated to the Rural Food Bank)
SUNDAY CONTESTS (free entry)
BABY SHOW – 2:00 p.m. Hilltop Stage
(no pre-registration required)
SCARECROW ENTRY DEADLINE – Saturday 5:00 p.m.