Home » Pies, pigeons and pumpkins: The return of the Harrow Fair

Pies, pigeons and pumpkins: The return of the Harrow Fair

by Edwin Robertson

After two years, the Harrow Fair is back.

The end of summer fair is back for the first time since 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the cancellation of the 2020 and 2021 editions.

“A lot of meetings are going to be happening this year,” said Emily Dennotter, one of Harrow Fair’s board directors. “I’ve seen a lot of people hugging and saying, ‘I haven’t seen you since the last Harrow Fair!’ It’s great to see the community come together.”

This year’s fair will be the 166th edition of the event. 1,500 people are expected.

Emily Denotter is one of the board directors of Harrow Fair. She is delighted with the return of the fair for the first time since 2019. (Darrin DiCarlo/CBC)

Before the opening of the fair to the public, 70 competitions were held. The judges scored all kinds of food, animals, and art. The biggest draw, the pie contest.

The 25 pies that were in the competition will be auctioned on Thursday evening. Politicians are expected to attend and place bids.

All proceeds from the pie auction will be donated to the John McGivney Children’s Center in Windsor. Helen Klomp, one of the pie judges, said winning bids for the pies could reach over $3,000. The 2019 auction brought in $32,210.

A cut pie
A pie judged at the 2022 Harrow Fair. The show is back for the first time since 2019. (Darrin DiCarlo/CBC)

Highlights of the judge’s role include poultry and pigeons.

A brown and white pigeon in a cage with wood shavings
A pigeon that was judged at the 2022 Harrow Fair. The show returns for the first time since 2019. (Darrin DiCarlo/CBC)

As well as pumpkins. Charlie Brown’s Linus was unavailable, but the judges took it upon themselves to choose the best bottle.

Four pumpkins lined up on wooden platforms
Call of the Great Pumpkin. Pumpkins that were judged at the 2022 Harrow Fair. The show returns for the first time since 2019. (Darrin DiCarlo/CBC)

There will be plenty of action as the fair continues throughout the weekend. Rides, like the Ferris wheel, will be at the All Canadian Entertainment (ACE) Midway.

Hay bales in the foreground and rides, including a Ferris wheel, in the background
Amusement rides and hay bales at the Harrow Fair 2022. The show returns for the first time since 2019. (Darrin DiCarlo/CBC)

The fair runs until Sunday, September 4. Admission is $10, children 12 and under are free.

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