Langton celebrates agricultural heritage with 133rd fair

Langton and area celebrated its agricultural heritage Wednesday at the 133^rd Langton Fair under sunny skies at the Langton Lions Community Sports Complex.

In her opening remarks, Carol Overbaugh, president of the North Walsingham Agricultural Society, said the fair’s roots go back to the late 1800s.

“This area was all in trees – there was no arena, no community center, nothing but trees. So, they cleared the land, cleared the stumps, and at that point they had a lot of animals here because they really promoted agriculture. People would come to show their horses, their cows, their crops, and that was the beginning of the Langton Fair.”

Wednesday’s 133^rd fair had an excellent turnout, said Linda Vandendriessche, Norfolk Ward 2 Councilor.

“It’s always an adventure every year, but I’m glad the kids came out, I’m glad a lot of people are participating. And thank God for our volunteers – we just wouldn’t get anywhere without those volunteers. We thank each and every one of them.”

Fair activities included a noon luncheon at the community center hosted by the Langton CWL, nail driving competition, baby show, tobacco tying contest, junior talent show, free face painting, wagon rides and bounce castles, outdoor activities by Norfolk Library, a car and tractor show, two food trucks, vendors inside the arena, and hundreds of art, craft, and vegetable exhibits.

It all started with the parade, featuring floats, cars, trucks and tractors, wagons and students walking from Sacred Heart School and Langton Public School through the town.

“I walked the (parade) road when I was young, starting in 1954,” said 75-year-old Ron Vandendriessche, recalling his days at Langton Public School. “All the way through.”

Ron and some of his classmates still in the Langton area remember agricultural displays in another building on the site long before the community center and arena.

“It was a red barn behind the school (Sacred Heart) as I remember. We had the parade and we had a few rides here. It was always on a Wednesday.”

There were vendors and food trailers, he said, and baked goods tables.

“Everybody knew everyone – both schools.”

There have been changes over the last 135 years, said Overbaugh, but what hasn’t changed is people of all ages getting excited and coming together for the fair.

New this year, three dignitaries competed for bragging rights in nail driving. Norfolk Mayor Amy Martin won the challenge, outhitting Haldimand Norfolk MPP Bobbi Ann Brady by one very quick swing of the hammer.

“Honestly, we didn’t know were going to do this,” Martin smiled.

“I would have worn different glasses had I known,” Brady nodded.

“I’ve got to practice,” said Jeremy McIntee, chief of staff for Haldimand-Norfolk MP Leslyn Lewis, who finished third.

Contestants had to drive two nails into a beam, and for Martin it was just a matter of “identifying the technique.” She had missed the first nail several times.

“Then I was smooth sailing, I got the system,” said Martin, noting the impact grouping around the first nail, which showed five clear misses compared to only two on the second nail. “I knew what the technique was, I just couldn’t execute the technique.”

“My second nail was worse because I was looking at them,” Brady laughed. “I missed the first nail three times, then I hit it really good. But this second one… ugh, yeah. I’ve got to practice.”

Next year, the dignitaries might try hand tying tobacco.

“I think that’s a great idea,” said Linda Vandendriessche, MC for the event.

“I am glad that we can all celebrate this special time together,” Overbaugh continued during the opening ceremonies. “It’s very important to keep the tradition going.”

“It’s a display of our agricultural pride, it’s a display of our agricultural history, and it’s so very important that we celebrate these types of activities and events in our small towns,” said MPP Brady, wearing ‘Just a Small Town Girl’ shirt . “It makes me very proud when I see all of you come together for a day like today.”

For generations, agriculture has been the backbone of the community, the province and the country, said McIntee.

“I think it’s so important that festivals like this celebrate agriculture in our community, educate our youth… and encourage them to be a part of that for the future,” said McIntee.

Mayor Martin congratulated and thanked the North Walsingham Agricultural Society fair board volunteers.

“You’re really building a strong foundation for our next generation,” said Martin. “It gives them a strong foundation as to why Norfolk County is so special, and why this is the place we want to be and love, so thank you to all the volunteers for all your work. We really appreciate all of your efforts that go into preserving our history, our heritage and our culture.”

“I’m just going to thank everyone who helped out with this fair – including the arena staff, all of the schools, the teachers, the students, the volunteers, the judges and recorders, the grandparents and parents, the whole community,” Overbaugh concluded. “It’s not just a few people, it’s a collective that puts this fair together and we truly appreciate it. We want to keep this going as long as we can.”

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