One of the oldest summer fairs in the Ottawa Valley got off to a smashing start on Friday.
Ryan Campbell and friends competed in the demolition derby on the first night of the 154th Almonte Fair.
"We just go nuts, it's great. It's something I don't get to do everyday. We strip them down and hit each other as hard as we can," he said of the many cars in the demolition derby, including his own.
"We try and hit with the back end because the engine’s in the front, so we just try and smash the back as much as possible."
While there’s other vehicular entertainment like the dancing tractors, there was plenty more to keep the crowds entertained.
"We've got sheep shearing, trampoline shows . . . The midway again," said Alyssa Tochack, neglecting to mention the chili cook-off, horse shows and other events.
“It’s getting busier every moment, so many people are excited to be here,” said another fairgoer.
The fair has a lot of heritage to draw back on, considering it’s older than Canada itself.
"I didn't even know that, 154 years. That's amazing," said Steve Carisse.
Campbell’s son Austin may have only been around for a few of those fairs, but he said he’s looking forward to following in his father’s footsteps.
“I'm definitely doing that, I'm already doing go-karting and I'm really good at that," Austin said.
"As long as he does it in the proper tracks and not in the streets," his dad said.
The Almonte Fair runs through Sunday at the fairgrounds, located at 195 Water Street.
With a report from CTV Ottawa’s Stefanie Masotti
