Hometown Fair 2022 Ends With A Massive Final Day

Text and photos By Robert Thomas

“All and all it hasn't been bad at all,” Judy Wilson fair chair said about the 2022 edition of the Moose Jaw Hometown Fair.

“Everybody seems to be happy.”

The four day Fair was held this past Thursday to Sunday after being kicked off with Wednesday evening's parade.

Fair chair Judy Wilson was all smiles about the 2022 edition of the Moose Jaw Hometown Fair - MJ Independent photo

Weather-wise the Fair had decent weather for an outdoor event although Saturday had wind and into the evening cooler temperatures after a light rain.

“It was a little cool on Saturday and we had a good turnout. Today (Sunday) is phenomenol,” Wilson said.

Fair watchers said Saturday's attendance was lower than other year's but on Sunday fairgoers came out in droves.

“Everywhere you look there are lineups for the rides. It (Sunday) has been a great day,” she said, adding “I think it (turnout) was very good today there are lineups for rides and food everywhere.”

The line-up to ride the Ferris Wheel - MJ Independent photo

She said the large numbers coming through the gates was likely indicative of people coming out again after so many events were cancelled or downsized due to the COVID - 19 pandemic.

“So many people wanted to get out after being cooped up for a couple of years,” she said.

The last time the Hometown Fair was held was 2019 and then was cancelled for two years due to pandemic restrictions.

Fresh mini donuts proved to be a popular food purchase on the Midway - MJ Independent photo

Moose Jaw Mayor Clive Tolley was incognito Indiana Jones style standing in line for the Quest for Midway Mini Donuts - MJ Independent photo

This year's edition of Hometown Fair was a bit of an experiment with the Fair moving from usual three day format to four days.

The four day format was an idea of the Midway operator West Coast Amusements to see if it was worthwhile to attract more people through the gates.

“In conjunction with the Midway we wanted to give it (a four day fair) a try.”

Whether the four day format will be back depends on a number's game.

The Moose Jaw Hometown Fair saw local and first time Hometown Fair performer Chris Edwards (left) - aka Magic By Chris - entertain the crowd along with veteran fair and carnival performer Mr Circus - MJ Independent photo

“We will see how we did and look at numbers,” Wilson said about holding a four day fair in the future.

Chris Edwards, aka Magic By Chris, was sort of a lifesaver on Saturday when he wet and cooler weather had many fairgoers head indoors to the Moose Jaw Exhibition’s Convention Centre to the Kid’s Inflatable Playzone.

Mr Circus asks an assistant from the crowd to hand him a plate while one plate was spinning - MJ Independent

Mr Circus asks his assistant from the crowd to take a bow then says they can cartwheel and do back flips and the child upstages the show by doing a cartwheel - MJ Independent photo

Edwards said he asked one child if they would like a balloon animal and other children saw the balloon animal and wanted one. He said he “got swamped” by the kids and ended up tying balloon animals for four hours and getting sore hands because of it.

“The kids loved it. It was worth it,” he said.

Wilson said the cooler and wet weather late on Saturday was unexpected and the bouncy castles in the Kid’s Inflatable Playzone helped out in a way the fair committee had never really considered.

A fairgoer removes her mask in order to laugh with friends on the Midway - MJ Independent photo

There had to be some changes to the Fair’s program as the weather forced the RCMP Musical Ride inside into the Golden Mile Arena on Saturday for both of their performances.

On Sunday the Musical Ride was moved back outside and the outdoor arena had people all around it to watch the Mounties perform.

Hitting the giant slide on Sunday afternoon - MJ Independent photo

The merry go round had children and their mothers out in large numbers out for a ride on Sunday - MJ Independent photo

Taking a ride on the train - MJ Independent photo

Asked about her favourite part of the fair Wilson said it is when it starts to get dark out and they turn on the lights.

Exactly how well attended and the bottom line when it comes to the 2022 Moose Jaw Hometown Fair won’t be known for a couple of weeks after everything is tallied up, Wilson said.