Annapolis Valley Ex has it all

By Lawrence Powell

The Spectator

NovaNewsNow.com

All the big events are back at the Annapolis Valley Exhibition in Lawrencetown (August 11 to 16) this year, and when the gates open it hardly matters what day you go – because the schedule is packed.

Exhibition manager John Longley said the big attractions are always the ATC competition set for Monday, and Saturday; Team Penning on Tuesday; the Rodeo on Wednesday; and of course top-notch entertainment at the Riverside Stage on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings.

That’s not to mention the light horse show throughout the week, ox pulls, horse pulls, border collie herding demonstrations, a day devoted to 4-H, a big midway with lots of rides, and so much food visitors don’t need to worry about getting hungry. Add the Miss Valley Ex pageant, craft demonstrations, arts, fruit and vegetable competitions, the dairy show, Ag Alley, and nobody goes home saying they had no fun.

“We are all excited about celebrating the 82nd Annapolis Valley Exhibition,” said Elaine Marshall, president of the board of directors. “A lot of work has gone into this years’ Ex to prepare it for you.”

That quote comes from the exhibition’s official program and couldn’t be more true. While crews were preparing the grounds last week, exhibition staff were busy organizing finishing touches and final details for events – a job that will continue right up to August 11 when the gates open early in the morning for 4-H day.

PARADE AND OPENING CEREMONIES

While events go on all day August 11, the street parade will draw hundreds to the small village as it leaves Fitch Road at 6:30 p.m. At 6:45 p.m. opening ceremonies begin at the Main Ring on the exhibition grounds with the parade entering the ring at about 7:15 p.m.

After parade winners get their awards, the 4-H Tug of War final starts at 8 p.m. and if it’s anything like last year’s muddy battle, it will be a crowd pleaser.

Longley said visitors this year will not want to miss the Team Cattle Penning Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. at the Main Ring where new seating last year not only better accommodated the crowds, but gave spectators a better view of the action.

Wednesday’s Rodeo starts at 8 p.m. after the 7 p.m. Wild n’ Woolie Sheep Rodeo, and includes ‘Ribbon on Tail,’ ‘Pick-up Race,’ ‘Calf Scramble,’ and ‘Steer Riding.’ Of course the Rodeo Clowns will be on hand to make sure everything goes off without a hitch or injury.

ENTERTAINMENT

The exhibition has managed to pick up a trio of great, professional musical entertainment acts, starting with homegrown Witchitaw on Thursday evening, Raylene Rankin on Thursday, and Canadian country sensation Deric Ruttan for Saturday evening.

While many exhibitions charge visitors an additional fee for featured entertainment, at the Annapolis Valley Exhibition the charge at the gate covers it all, giving everyone access to the big names performing at the Riverside Concert Stage.

While Rankin and Ruttan are the big names this year, local band Witchitaw on Thursday night is expected to have the crowd southern-rockin’ as the five-piece group shifts through the gears all the way up to overdrive. Whether they’re spending ‘six days on the road’ with Dave Dudley, chasing Smokey and the Bandit with Jerry Reed, or belting out their own brand of rocking lyrics or ballads, the Jason Spinney fronted Witchitaw has its own style that many expect may propel the band well beyond their local boarders. Jason’s brother Jamie, Frank Dobbin, Terry Salsman, and Paul Browner round out the group.

Their unique style blends new country with a touch of blues and southern rock.

But the Riverside Concert Stage isn’t the only venue on the grounds. Perennial favourites The Bridgetown Fiddlers perform Monday at 8:30 p.m. at the Youth Arena. Wind Song takes to the stage at the Youth Arena at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Valley Grass performs there Wednesday at 8:30 p.m., and Old Country Band takes over on Friday.

POPULARITY RISING

While the Annapolis Valley Exhibition has always been the big draw in the Valley, its popularity has continued to rise in recent years, attracting visitors from every province in Canada, and calling ex-patriots home on their vacations. Last year it rained on Monday, but by the end of Tuesday attendance figures were right back on track. By Friday evening, all previous attendance records fell. It was only a day of rain on Saturday that kept it from being the biggest success to date. In the end, figures were down by several thousand but still close to the 45,000 mark which has become the norm, making it the single largest one-venue event in the region.

For a complete schedule of events, go to www.annapolisvalleyexhibition.ca, or pick up the official program at local businesses in your community.