Thousands of Quebecers kept alive a 160-year-old tradition on Saturday as they flocked to the Eastern Townships for Brome’s annual Agricultural Fair.
In recent years, the fair has taken on a new relevance as urban agriculture has grown in popularity and city-dwellers come to see the wisdom of farmers.
“The Agricultural Fair is now having a nice window for the people who have probably lost or never even had a feel for agriculture,” said manager Guylaine Tetreault. “It’s more important today.”
An estimated 45,000 people will have an opportunity to spend a weekend getting up-close and personal with farm animals via horse displays, petting zoos and a beauty contest for cows.
For more practical tips, there were award-wining recipes and fresh produce for sale.
Some visitors, like Mansonville Mayor Louis Veillon, have been coming to the fair for decades.
“Sixty-seven years,” he said. “In other words, I was born in Brome County and you have to come back and see everybody in Brome County because people in Brome County are special.”
For others, it’s a chance to pass on a tradition. Amanda Ruggles has come every year since she was two-years-old. Now, she brings her own daughter.
“It’s really interested for me to come back into a community that’s been doing the same thing every single year, that holds strong history and a strong culture in the community,” she said.
The Brome Fair continues until Monday. Entrance is $15.
