AVONMORE, Ontario – The 156th Avonmore Fair is coming up this weekend. It kicks off on July 15 and runs until the evening on the 17.
The fair gates open at 5 p.m. on Friday, July 15 and admission to the fair will be free that night.
At 8 p.m. the Barn Dance starts with entertainment provided by AMBUSH and continues until 1 a.m.
Saturday will see the Official Fair Opening Ceremony and talent shows. On Sunday there will be rock climbing, face painting, and the classic car show.
This year, the Canadian Cowgirls will be showing off their precision riding skills at the fair along with SD&G’s own Jackie Bray.
Jackie Bray, nee Van Loon was born on a dairy farm on Kenyon Concession 4 in Greenfield. She and her husband Dennis eventually moved away to Chatham, ON for her career, but that move is what brought her into contact with the Canadian Cowgirls.
“I was boarding my horse at TJ Stables in Chatham and that is where I met Terry Jenkins, the owner of the stables and the Captain and Founder of the Cowgirls. That is where I fell in love with the being on the team,” said Bray.
The Canadian Cowgirls of Chatham are an elite precision riding team. Dressed in shining costumes they perform a variety of precise musical drills.
“I think that is what attracted me to the team, the pageantry and the pride we all share carrying our Country’s flag,” Bray said.
The team has a variety of breeds of horses including the American Quarter Horse, the Appaloosa, Arabians and Paints.
Bray rides a blue-eyed American Paint horse.
“His name is Frankie, after Mr. Blue eyes himself Frank Sinatra,” Bray said. “Frankie likes to keep me on my toes and I like the challenge of getting him to adapt to new surroundings.”
“I love to spend time and travel with my horse. I admire the teamwork it takes to be a successful rider. We all become family after travelling across North America hauling eight to 18 horses,” Bray continued.
The Canadian Cowgirls will be performing on Saturday night and before the Fair’s closing ceremonies on Sunday.
