"Six Nations Fair making changes for 1998 - Annual Awards Dinner honours last years' winners"

BRANTFORD - The Six Nations Agricultural Society held their Annual Awards Dinner Wednesday at the West Haven Buffet in Brantford and introduced some of the tentative plans for this years Six Nations Fair as well.

Over 60 people attended this years' dinner to honour those who were winners in the various competitions held at last years' Fair. There were also words of praise and thanks from Fair President Glenda Porter who thanked all of the committees that made last years' Fair a huge success with all of their hard work and commitment.

The five winners from the Miss Six Nations Pageant were honoured at the beginning of the evening. Shelby Montour (Little Miss Six Nations), Daniel Annette (Miss Mini Six Nations), Jade Jamieson (Miss Pre-Teen) Lindsey Hill (Miss Teen) and Theda Brant (Miss Six Nations) were all on hand and helped in the presentation of some of the other awards that were handed out during the evening.

Six Nations Siri Martin captured the Class 3 Roots and Vegetables section by accumulating the most points. The Class 5 Flowers and Plants winner for most first was awarded to Six Nations Richelle Miller. Isobel Hill won for most firsts in the Class 6 Baked Products section while Eleanor Hill was the winner of the Class 7 Canned Goods for most points and most firsts. Hill completed her trifecta by winning the Class 8 Needlecraft section for most firsts.

Sarah Jamieson and William Mt. Pleasant won the Class 9 Youth sections in their respective categories followed by three awards handed out in the Class 12 Indian Manufacture section which included Lisa Maracle for most points, Debbie Doxtador for Best Dressed Indian Doll Woodland Style and Deanna Skye for Best Dressed Indian Doll Plain Style.

Fair Board Committee member Les Sowden spoke on some of the changes that are being discussed for this years' Fair, one that he says will have a 'western drift in the air' come September.

"We have not hammered out all of the details to some of these plans, but we are hoping to add some new shows to the fair which will bring some new faces in and give it a new look," he said. "What we are planning to do is give parts of this years' Fair a western look with some if the same events that one would see at the Calgary Stampede.

Some of these events, which would take place on the Saturday of the Fair weekend include Mountain Busting for kids 65lbs or less, Bareback Bronc, Ladies Breakaway Roping, Bull Riding and Chuck Wagon Racing, all sanctioned by the Ontario Rodeo Association and promoted by Big L Rodeo. To compliment these new events will be a new 'Figure 8 Demolition Derby' for Saturday evening, a warm-up to the regular Demolition Finals on Sunday.

"The Miss Six Nations Pageant will be held on the Thursday night of the Fair, we hope to have a Casino on Friday night as well as the Grand-stand show," said Sowden. "The Heavy Horse Show, the Pow Wow and the Lifestyles and Home Show will all be a big part of this years' Fair once again."

This years Six Nations Fair is scheduled for September 10-13th.