The Fredericton Exhibition drew to a close Sunday evening, and organizers say it was another successful year on an important anniversary as the event celebrated it’s 190th birthday.
Changes to the schedule saw the event run through to Sunday, giving families a full weekend to enjoy the rides, petting zoo and food.
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New Brunswick Exhibition Executive Director Mike Vokey said this year they decided to start the festivities and midway on Monday and continue with the usual seven-day exhibition.
Vokey told Global News the Fredericton Exhibition was right after Saint John hosted theirs and organizers decided it was important to give ride operators and exhibitors an extra day to set-up and complete safety inspections.
“Everything happens at the same time while they’re setting up the rides the horses are coming in and the poultry are coming in for the poultry show and there’s a lot going on so we need to kind of allow a little extra time to step back and make sure everything is done and safety is number one,” said Vokey.
As with any event changes, Vokey said there’s always a bit of a risk financially
“Certainly there’s that risk that we have to be concerned about in doing any switch but we think, it may be a little bit of an impact for the first couple years so people get into a routine and know that Sunday the final day is on the Sunday instead,” he said.
“When you look at the lineups that are already here we’ve done a good job getting the message out and people know that we’re open today and hoping it will be a good decision financially, for safety and for all aspects.”
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Sunday’s warm weather was perfect for the day’s planned family day.
Vokey said they intended Sunday as a gift to the community, with children riding free and discounted ride prices for adults.
However, even as this years exhibition comes to a close, the work begins immediately to start signing contracts for next year, with one-man-band entertainer Professor Paddy-Whack already on-board.