The Plympton-Wyoming Agricultural Society and Lambton County's oldest fall fair are celebrating a milestone anniversary of 180 years.
Gates for the three-day fair will open at the Wyoming Fair Grounds on Main Street on Friday, September 18, at 5 p.m., with opening ceremonies beginning at 7 p.m.
Plympton-Wyoming Agricultural Society Past President Lauren Armstrong said 180th merchandise is available to mark the milestone.
"There are t-shirts, hoodies, hats for sale," she said. "The vendor will actually be at the fair so if you want to buy your PW swag at the fair, you can. We're also doing a big 50/50 raffle that ends on Sunday at the fair. Those tickets are also online."
Armstrong said the theme for this year is "Dancing with the Steers."
"We have a new band coming [for] our Friday night dance, Dirt Country, so that will be exciting to kick off the fair," Armstrong said.
Friday's festivities will also include a live pie auction at 7 p.m., with proceeds supporting the Petrolia hospital.
On Saturday and Sunday, gates will open at 10 a.m.
The parade on Saturday will start at 11:45 a.m. from McKay Park. The parade route will travel down Broadway Street to Main Street, London Street, and Niagara Street to the fairgrounds.
Armstrong said there will be a couple of new shows throughout the weekend as well as some fan favourites.
"We have a magician show, we have a newer dog show (different from last year's)," Armstrong said. "We have a foam party for kids on the Sunday, we have our 4H shows, we have our beef show, our dairy show, we have light horse shows, heavy horse shows."
The midway will also return this year.
"Family Time Amusements has been with us -- this is our fourth year with them. They're awesome to work with," Armstrong said. "The community, I think, likes to see a midway back to the fair. We didn't have a midway for over 20 years."
Armstrong said they typically see 2,000 people come to the fairgrounds over the weekend, but the turnout is weather-dependent.
Admission is $10, but elementary school children can enter for free all weekend.
A detailed fair schedule can be found on the Plympton-Wyoming Fall Fair website.
