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The Western Fair, one of London’s oldest and most beloved traditions, begins its 10-day run Thursday. This year, alongside fan favourites, there also will be new attractions on stage and skateboards. Free Press reporter Jack Moulton takes a look at what fair-goers can expect.
Live music buffs will be dining well at this year’s fair, as it plays host to a six concerts. New this year, three outdoor shows at The Ranch from Sept. 6-8, and returning, three indoor shows at the sports centre stadium from Sept. 10-12. Some of the names involved include the James Barker Band and Mackenzie Porter, Sugar Ray and Smash Mouth.
The community pavilion will have a different layout, with the Agriplex pavilion acting as the community space with more food and retail vendors, fair spokesperson Greg Blanchard said. The outdoor shopping area also will have a new look, with trees adorned in crystal lights.
“It’s going to be just a really cool visual experience to enhance the outdoor shopping area this year as well,” he said.
In addition, there will be a new character corner with familiar faces for kids including Thomas the Tank Engine and Paw Patrol, and a new animated drone show to cap off each night of the festival.
Also making its debut this year is The Summit, what Blanchard describes as a “mini festival within the fair” celebrating urban arts and culture.
Professional skateboarders, BMXers, and scooter riders will perform throughout the fair, as well as mural and street artists, who also will host seminars and workshops.
Several of the artists involved in the Wet Paint Express, a mural initiative in Old East Village and the Hamilton Road area, are taking part in the event.
Though the fair always tries to enhance and update its offerings, fans can count on the familiar elements, Blanchard said.
Fair-goers still can expect one of the biggest midways in the country, the “kiddie land,” as well as the animal barn, with scores of animals and several events, such as the Clydesdale hitch.
The Old East Village Music Garden also will feature three to five performances each day of the festival.
Blanchard encourages any people to buy tickets in advance, which can save them up to 40 per cent. Children younger than 12 and seniors older than 65 can enter for free.
For food, the back bacon on a bun is returning, even with a gourmet version.
“That’s been a favourite over the years here in London,” Blanchard said. “It’s incredible and there hasn’t been any vendors offering that in recent years, so we’re bringing that back this year.”
As for events, he is most excited for the numerous concerts and performances across three different venues throughout the run of the fair. The wide variety of performances means that “we’ve got something for every musical taste,” he said.
If you go: Sept. 6-15, gates open at 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday
Tickets for concerts, general admission, and The Summit can be found at westernfair.ca/tickets-2024.
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