Unique Brussels Fall Fair parade impresses village

BY SHAWN LOUGHLIN

Sunday’s Brussels Fall Fair parade has been heralded as a success by organizers thanks to robust attendance and approximately 80 floats taking part from all over the region.

Brussels Agricultural Society President Zoellyn Onn said Sunday was “phenomenal” and that she and other members of the society were very pleased with the event. She said she felt it was just the boost the community needed in 2020, a year of so many cancellations and tough times for many. She was also pleased to see the safe behaviour of those taking part, either in the parade or watching it, wearing masks and physically distancing from one another.

While Onn has served as the president and oversaw the event, she said it wouldn’t have been possible without many members of the society who did the lion’s share of the work. Treasurer John Lowe, for example, really spearheaded the parade, taking care of things on Sunday and designing the parade route alongside Mary Ann Thompson. In addition, Homecraft President Monique Baan took on organizing the decorating contest and awarding those winners.

Without all of the volunteers from the society, Onn said, there’s no way the event would have been as successful as it was.

Lowe said he and Thompson were “thrilled” with the response from the community, but he can’t say he’s surprised, knowing the community spirit of Brussels so well.

He said he had a feeling the response to the day would be good, but until Sunday, that was all he had, because he hadn’t asked those entering floats to pre-register. Despite going into the event blind, he had a feeling Brussels residents would rise to the challenge and make the parade one to remember and he was right. Not only did Brussels residents and businesses step up to the plate for the parade, but there were also plenty of entries from neighbouring communities like Blyth, Londesborough and others.

The judges were also impressed, Lowe said, handing out awards in nine different categories to honour the best floats of the day.

Baan said she too was very impressed with the response to the decorating contest. There were plenty of great locations to choose from and others simply decorated with the fair’s colours to show their village spirit.

Murray’s Barber Shop was the winner for the business category, while Lori Vader won the animal category, Nora Stephenson won the colours category, the Mitchell family of Walton Road won in the farm category, Crystal Blake and Dwayne VanRavenswaay won in the harvest category and Hilary and Steve Machan won in the unique category.

For more information on the society or the fair, which will be celebrating its 160th anniversary next year, visit brusselsfallfair.ca.