Sackville holds the biggest event of the year, featuring music and the Family Day Parade
The autumn season kicked off with Sackville’s 24th annual Fall Fair! As Sackville’s biggest yearly event, the festivities spanned over four days, featuring a lineup of Maritime musicians, family-fun activities, and other entertainment for the community. Coinciding with Mt.A Mounties Men’s football homecoming, it was a busy weekend for the small town.
Originating in Sackville’s agricultural background, the Fall Fair is a tradition that brings hundreds of people to the town for a mix of activities for all ages. This year’s highlights included stargazing, a classic antique car show, and musical performers spanning from Tantramar Regional High to Halifax!
On Sept. 16, Bagtown Brewing held a trivia night hosted by Mt.A students. The next day was filled with activities, from Holstead Farm’s floral workshop to the open house at the Fire Hall. Additionally, a new exhibit about the history of sports in Sackville opened at the Boultenhouse Heritage Centre, and a professional astronomer took the community for a stargazing tour in Waterfowl.
On Sept. 18, the Sackville Rotary Club served chili at the Fall Fair tent on Main St., offering a warm dinner to the community, while the Sackville Public Library offered a button-making activity. At 6 p.m., the opening ceremonies were held, presenting the following awards: Citizen of the Year, Youth Citizen of the Year, and Mt.A Student Citizen of the Year. These awards are nominated by the community and presented every year at the Fall Fair. More activities were open to Sackville families, including a preserved moss frame workshop at Holstead Farms and a children and youth dance at the Fall Fair tent with DJ Neal. The Mount Allison Student Union held a children’s parade, where children dressed up in costumes and joined in. Musicians Moira and Claire ended the outdoor events after a bright fireworks show, and Chirps Bar held a karaoke night with Mi’kmaq rapper Wolf Castle.
Sept. 19 was Sackville’s Family Day, starting off with the farmers’ market, which was full of local businesses such as farmers, bakers, artisans, and vendors. There were free horseback rides at the Barn Shop, which is celebrating its fourth season, and a Mt.A Homecoming Pancake Breakfast at Bagtown Brewing. At 10 a.m., Walker Road Range taught community members about clay shooting, and the Domino Man Bill Oakley set up his domino display at Sackville Curling Club. There was also a homecoming barbecue, a blacksmithing tour at Campbell Carriage Factory Museum, and a library storytime.
This was all just in the morning. In the afternoon, along the Main Street Mile run, which was raising money for the Sackville Swim Club, was the annual Fall Fair Parade, the biggest yet in the history of the fair! At the same time was the classic car show. Shortly after, Mt.A held their Men’s Football Homecoming game, while Beardsley Grange hosted a pumpkin-themed social. Local artist Indu Varma held a nature-themed clay workshop before M!SPR!NT, a Grade 11 rock band from Tantramar Regional High School rocked the main tent. They were followed by country musicians Ivan Daigle and Dirt Country, and DJ Gonz celebrated homecoming at Chirps Bar.
Finally, on Sept. 20, the festivities opened with a community breakfast and yard sale at Station8, with proceeds going to its Community Fridge program. In the afternoon, there was a sandcastle-making contest at Lillas Fawcett Park and a children’s art workshop. Additionally, The Church by the Lake hosted a community church service and an “anything that floats” boat race, and was followed by a pet show at the Drew Nursing Home!
To wrap up the long weekend of supporting local businesses and welcoming in the greater community, the annual “Taste of History” fundraising dinner was held at the Royal Canadian Legion. The 24th annual Sackville Fall Fair certainly kicked off Mt.A and Sackville’s fall season with a breath of fresh fall air and warm community.