You can't take a stroll through the Western Fair midway this year, but you can still sink your teeth into an array of traditional fair food.
As part of the fair's pared down events and activities for 2021, organizers have unveiled "a taste of Western Fair." Starting September 8, every Wednesday and Thursday throughout the month will see local food trucks cooking up fair food favourites while parked at the Western Fair Farmers’ Market. In addition to the fair food being served up, the evenings will feature shopping and to-be-announced entertainment and special guests.
COVID-19 health and safety guidelines and restrictions will be followed during the event.
"Outdoor capacity/attendance will be monitored at these events and line-ups to enter may occur," fair officials said in a statement Tuesday.
Those who want cotton candy and caramel corn, but don't want to wait in line can order 'fair food boxes’ that can be picked up between September 8 to 12. The $35 food boxes include fudge, beer nuts, Chicago crunch cheese balls, a jumbo pretzel, churros, candy apples, candy floss, and caramel corn.
Similar to last year, competitions including the creative arts competition and Rise2Fame youth talent competition, are going ahead virtually. Submissions for the arts competition are being accepted until September 2 at www.westernfairdistrict.com/creativeartscompetition. Video entries to Rise2Fame can be uploaded to www.westernfairdistrict.com/western-fair/rise2fame-online.
Parents and teachers will also be able to sign their children and students up for the annual Agri-Food School Tours. They will take place online between September 13 and 17 and operate in partnership with Farm and Food Care Ontario, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, AgScape, and Growing Chefs.
This is the second straight year the Western Fair has pivoted to scaled-back and virtual events because of the global pandemic. The traditional fair, which was to take place September 10-19, was cancelled in June. At the time, fair officials reassured they were planning for a return to the annual 10-day event for 2022.
