As the bright lights, sweet treats and midway games roll into town, it marks an anniversary for me.
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One year ago today, after arriving in Lloydminster late the night before, my father, wife and I headed out to explore. That morning, we walked to Maggie Mae’s for breakfast and, on our way out, noticed a stream of people with lawn chairs heading east on 45 St.
Curious, we followed, and I’m glad we did. We had stumbled upon the Lloyd Ex Fair parade.
I’ve been to many parades and participated in a few over the years, mostly in Ontario. Kitchener’s Oktoberfest parade might be the biggest I’ve seen and runs about an hour.
Lloyd’s, however, went even longer. We stood in the sun for nearly 90 minutes, wondering when it might end.
That got me thinking about other traditions back home and how summers differ, 3,300 kilometres apart.
In Fergus, Ont., July meant Canada’s largest truck show. Hundreds of big rigs rolled into town from across the country to compete in the show and shine. Some of my earliest memories are from that event.
By August, my hometown transformed again for what is still the largest three-day Scottish festival in the country. The local joke was that everyone who lived there left, and everyone else showed up. It still draws more than 20,000 people each year.
Then came fall. The Fergus Fall Fair, which marks its 188th year this September, was one of many in the region.
Out here, the evening fair draws include live music and fireworks. Back home, it was the roar of the truck and tractor pulls.
The competitions differ, too. Here, there is team roping, stock dog trials and heavy horses. In Ontario, fall was the time to show off the year’s crops. Sunflowers, corn stalks and pumpkins were judged and awarded ribbons.
Some of my best childhood memories are tied to preparing for the fair. From the biggest gladiolus to the best beets and homemade baking, I put in my share of entries.
The traditions may vary, but they serve the same purpose. When the ferris wheel spins, cotton candy fuels the kids, and carnies run their booths, the community comes together. It becomes the talk of the town.
It’s a small reminder of home, and it was a blast taking part in the parade this year, the first event which welcomed me to Lloyd.
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