The 2016 Niverville Olde Tyme Country Fair was one of the best ones yet—in fact, that may be an understatement. The staples that have worked in the past—like stage placement, the motocross bikers, and Wonder Shows—are still a hit, and the new acts this year drew a big crowd. As well, this year’s innovation of alcohol sales in the concert area went off without a hitch.
According to the fair committee, roughly 12,000 people attended the fair over the June 10–11 weekend.
“From an organizer’s perspective, one of the main highlights is that we were embraced by the people,” says organizer Jeff Stott. “We had a very strong support at the gate, which was nice to see… they haven’t forgotten about us.”
There was a new addition to the kids section this year. “DJ Brenton was the feature this year and a huge success,” says Christa May, the children’s coordinator. “He orchestrated the kids dance party in front of the main stage on Friday. The dance floor was full with probably 100 kids. He’s already booked to come again next year.”
Kids of all ages stayed busy the entire night, getting their faces painted, jumping in bouncy castles, getting their own balloon animals, and watching The Magic Bean Show.
“Everything ran so smoothly,” May says. “All the acts worked together.”
Archangel Fireworks once again put on a well-received show, though they went off from a new location just north of town.
“Speaking for the committee, it was great to see that all of the acts that we selected were home-run hits,” says Stott. “There were no tip balls, no strikeouts. There was a Survivor game, Prairie Soul Dance performance, the motocross bikes, the gymnasts on the trampoline. There was The Washboard Union, the main act, the fireworks. I can’t think of one that failed us.”
For the first time, the Saturday night concert was a licensed event. The fair partnered with Big Rock Brewery. According to the MLCC, the area in which fairgoers could have an alcoholic beverage was the biggest in Manitoba that they’ve licensed. Because people respected these rules, it will most likely happen again next year.
On Friday, The Big City All-Star Band once played a lively, dance-worthy show.
On Saturday, local country singer Brady Kenneth started the night off . His opening act included five songs from his debut EP, That’s the Way She Goes.
Next up: The Washboard Union, a trio from British Columbia. “Some of the nicest, down-to-earth professional entertainers we’ve had yet,” Stott says. The bangdstayed afterward to watch the rest of the show, sign autographs, and take pictures with anyone who wanted.
The main act, Gord Bamford, ended the weekend on a high-calibre note. Music cranked loud as the sun set to a packed street and full stands.
All the mainstage entertainment was possible due to the hard work of organizers Raesha Enns and Elaine Krahn, and many volunteers. This includes the Niverville Ministries team, which cleaned up our streets Friday and Saturday after all had gone to bed.
Even more help is needed to ensure Niverville continues to have an incredible fair.
“The downfall to all fairs is no succession. The fair dies with the organizers and we don’t need that here,” says Stott. “We need fresh organizers. You can join the fair at any level. You can be a lead-up person, a clean-up person, or you could be the organizer to the whole thing if you wanted. Every seat is open and any idea is valid.”
Whether you got your thrill on the midway, enjoyed the annual chicken dinner, danced the night away, were enamoured by any of the world-class acts, or carried your sleeping kids all the way home, chances are you had a good time doing it.
“We want it to be the most thrilling small town fair around,” Stott adds. “Not necessarily the biggest, but the best.”
