Innisfree & District Agricultural Society Hosts 41st Annual Fair

Innisfree & District Agricultural Society Hosts 41st Annual Fair

Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser

A great crowd was in attendance for the 41st annual fair on August 11.

The event kicked-off around 11 am with the parade that featured close to 20 entries. There was plenty of candy and some Frisbees thrown out by staff who accompanied Lakeland MP Shannon Stubbs.

After the parade, many people headed to the Innisfree Recreation Centre to take in the bench show, which featured a total of 39 entries.

Shortly after 1 pm the official grand reopening of the Innisfree Prairie Bank of Commerce. Lakeland MP Shannon Stubbs had the honour of cutting the ribbon. County of Minburn Councillors Tara Kuzio and Carl Ogrodnick were on hand for the event and offered congratulations to Mayor Deb McMann and fellow members of the Innisfree Prairie Bank of Commerce Historical Society which own and operate the museum.

Lakeland MP Shannon Stubbs waves to the crowd.

(Michelle Pinon/Photo)

McMann, who worked at the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce for 18 years, said it was in operation from Dec. 6, 1906 to Dec. 13, 1996. It was sold to the historical society for $1 on the condition that it not be used as a bank for a period of 25 years.

Society President Robert Dobler said they have done a number of improvements over the years. The latest upgrade was painting of the exterior of the building back in 2019.

Folks were treated to ice cream at the Innisfree Public Library. Many families enjoyed the petting zoo and bouncy rides, along with bird house building, and a mutton bustin event.

The wooden bird houses were supplied by members of the Innisfree & District Fish and Game Association. Member Curtis Cassibo said they built 80 birdhouses throughout the day. There were a record number of entries in the mutton bustin event, with 46 participants in total.

Ag. Society President Deanna Jackson said she was pleased with “good turnout” of people. It’s the society’s first event after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted.