The Carp Fair ~ "The Best Little Fair in Canada"

It's a lovely little fair, very typical of our country fairs, and due to its close proximity to Ottawa, it gets more traffic. I like that it's well organized and it has an excellent horse show. And it has been running since 1863, pre-dating Canadian Confederation.

I left my home at 1 pm today and was in the parking lot, a farm field, 15 minutes later. I bought my entrance ticket and climbed onto an old school bus. As usual, they have a fleet of shuttles and buses to take visitors the short distance to the fair grounds.

Once inside the gates, the rides are straight ahead but I want to see what's in the show rings. We head left.

And there are the beaver tails! I better explain so as not to frighten you, that beaver tails are a flat unleavened pastry unique to this area. They are sooo good!

In the ring, they were judging Clydesdales. Usually, I come to the fair on Sunday to see the finals of the heavy horse competitions. I love to see the big 8-horse hitches compete, horses hooves thundering around the arena as they pull shiny carts decorated for the occasion, but it's raining on Sunday.

I skirted the ring past the mural painted on the back of the covered stands.

Now that is an impressive pumpkin!

It's an agricultural fair so I get to show you animals. These are young holsteins.

I didn't see the young lady napping with her pet, probably competing in the 4-H shows.

Oooh, and here is a booth where I could get poutine. That's french fries with gravy and cheese curds, a traditional treat from Quebec.

Another big pumpkin. The kids were climbing on it!

More pumpkins but no signs of a pumpkin competition.

I entered a tent with Clydesdale stalls. Here, everyone is petting the baby.

Not his best angle.

In another ring, I assumed this was some type of synchronized dressage where the riders and their mounts competed in pairs.

There are all kinds of things for sale.

It's a Friday afternoon. I imagine the shuttles will be very busy tomorrow, but today he can stop for a chat.

These are the winning Percherons, gorgeous.

Now back around the ring to head over there.

Noise and fun.

It's not a fair without treats but I'm actually heading inside to the exhibits.

I know, I know, you all want to see the rides!

Nothing says "fair" like a merry-go-round.

A beautifully painted horse on the merry-go-round.

A train for the younger kids.

Something for the adventurous types.

Test your climbing skills, win a prize!

We're in the heart of the midway.

A slide.

I walk past booths of food and clothing.

I was torn between showing you a beaver tail and the old standard back bacon on a bun. The bacon won! I sat in the bleachers to watch the horses again.