WEYBURN – The 116th Weyburn Fair Days is set to return with new attractions, returning favourites, and a strong focus on agriculture and family-friendly fun. Organizers said they’re excited about the growth of the AG Pavillion that houses the Tractor Town, an obstacle course where children navigate pedal tractors, farm animals, and other rural-life challenges.
“This year we are excited to announce the expansion of our AG Pavillion which is home to our ever-expanding Tractor Town, an interactive obstacle course complete with pedal tractors, farm animals and barns and other rural life obstacles that the children must maneuver around,” said Lisa Vick, from the Weyburn Agricultural Society.
A long-standing crowd-pleaser, the Kids Tractor Pull will once again take place, drawing families with a tradition of participation.
“Kids Tractor Pull has been a Weyburn Fair staple for many years, generations of families have participated in Tractor Pull over the years of this event,” added.
Among this year’s new attractions is the Jr. Fire Fighter Challenge, a hands-on obstacle course focused on fire safety education, and The Fair Game: "Where You Don’t Know Sheep", an agricultural-themed comedy game designed to teach youth about food origins through laughter and learning.
Returning for a second year is the crowd-favourite Wobbly Water Balls, featuring giant inflatable balls in a shallow pool where participants can bounce and crash into each other.
“This is giant, shallow pool and you get into giant inflated balls and bang and crash each other in the pool,” said Vick.
Spotlight on agriculture
The fair continues its strong agricultural focus with a variety of educational and interactive displays. Highlights include exhibits from Sask Ag and Ag Canada showcasing Canadian-grown grains, a cattle dome video presentation on beef production, and a Mosaic tent educating visitors on Saskatchewan potash.
Sask Milk will be present to discuss local dairy production, while the Friends of the Canadian Simmental Association will display a realistic beef carcass exhibit, illustrating the cuts of meat from a butchered cow.
Agriculture in the Classroom is debuting a new “Grains of Saskatchewan” exhibit aimed at making learning about local grains more interactive for kids and adults alike. Visitors can explore crop diversity, by-products, and the province’s role in feeding the world. Glen Duck of the Saskatchewan Association of Agricultural Societies will also be on hand with agriculture-themed video games.
Midway, petting zoo and trade show
The fair will once again feature its classic midway with rides, games, and traditional fair food, along with a petting zoo featuring a wide variety of animals.
Inside the Exhibition Hall on July 5, a trade show will host approximately 30 vendors from across southeast Saskatchewan, including demonstrations and displays, with one outdoor exhibit featuring E-bikes. Vendors range from local artisans to food specialists offering both Canadian and international cuisine.
Volunteers still needed
Organizers emphasized the importance of community involvement.
“We could not run fair week without our dedicated volunteers,” said Vick. “By the time we get all the jobs and various shifts filled, we are probably filling 150 shifts for a variety of jobs.”
She said that additional help is still needed, especially for the Knocker Ball event, which features 20 inflatable balls on a large turf area where participants can bounce and bump into each other.
“We are always looking for more volunteers. We have about 15 dedicated board members that put in countless hours planning, setting up and running the week of activities, so more helping hands are always accepted for a variety of jobs from cleaning bathrooms to taking tickets at the gates.”
Competitions
In addition to the Tractor Pull and Fire Fighter Challenge, the Household Arts Display is back, with pie judging expected to draw interest from both bakers and fairgoers. Submissions are open to the public and local schools are encouraged to participate.
“I would say the growth of our Ag Pavillion that was introduced last year has been instrumental in bridging the gap between our urban and rural communities, as not all those living in the city can get a hands on experience at farm,” said Vick. “We are super excited to see the Fire Fighter Challenge in action this year.”
The fair runs from July 3 -5. The daily admission is $10 for adults, $5 for youth ages 6 – 18, free for children five and under. Parking on-site is $2, and there is free street parking. All buildings and grounds are accessible to wheelchairs and strollers. 4-H days run June 28-July 2.
For more information or to volunteer, residents are encouraged to contact the.
