durhamregion.com 4 The Citizen June 16, 2016 Tim Whittaker - Publisher Mike Johnston - Managing Editor Fred Eismont - Director of Advertising Abe Fakhourie - Distribution Manager Cheryl Haines - Composing Manager CLASSIFIEDS 905-215-0442 ADVERTISING 905-215-0472 865 Farewell St., Oshawa ON L1H 7L5 Member: Ontario Press Council, OCNA, CCNA, LMA. All content copyright. A Metroland Media Group Ltd. Publication thecitizen From page 1 A lull here and there in the action allowed the couple a chance to catch up with their old neighbours, sitting nearby in the shade themselves. It's a bit of new thing for the Murrays, sitting on the sidelines, after participating in the fair themselves for about 10 years with local service clubs and being spectators of more than 25 years. However, even a move east to Cobourg two years has not stopped the couple from returning to enjoy an early summer staple in their lives. "It's pretty much a yearly, annual tradition. It's something we've always done -- get together with friends and family at the spring fair," said Mr. Murray. And while being a spectator has its advantages -- "It's more relaxing, it's pretty good," laughed Mr. Murray -- the family does miss being part of a special community event. "I miss building the floats," admitted Mr. Murray. "I miss having the kids coming over and brainstorming before the parade and building something in our driveway. We always ended up with a decent float." Still, the Murrays plan their whole weekend around the fair. Now they park their motorhome in a friend's driveway and immerse themselves back into their old community, taking part in afternoon barbecues and playing music "It's something we still really enjoy," said Mr. Murray. The parade to unofficially kick off the 105th Brooklin Spring Fair took place on Saturday morning, the third of four days the fair runs. It wrapped up on Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. Parents and children, some pulled in wagons, meandered along Winchester Road, either amongst the various floats entered by local churches, schools or businesses, or weaving through the large crowds that filled the sidewalks. Many had sweet ice cream treats melting in their hands as the early summer sun cranked up the heat on a beautiful June morning. Balloons bounced along in the warm breeze, tugging to get away from floats, seemingly in step with the band music that filled the air. Inside the fairgrounds, the sounds of delighted children, vendors hawking their wares and midway rides swirled together. Long lines formed at the various food trucks offering up greasy goods and sweet treats. Youngsters climbed all over large tractors on display and vendors looked to sell shirts, flags and everything else under the sun. In the midway, a large ferris wheel slowly turned in an endless, clockwise loop, stopping every so often to let smiling children off. The music blaring from the rides is matched only by the hum of the generators that power the midway machines, rattling in the background. Tucked away in the shade of a ride, Tracy Conway watched her young family members twirl in circles. "We like to support our local communities," said the Oshawa mom. "We make our way over here every year, or at least we try to." While her eyes were on her two daughters and grand-daughter, Ms. Conway's mind was on the food choices available. "The food," she replied quickly when asked about her favourite thing at the fair. "There's such a variety at the fair and you always seem to indulge here." Nearby, John Drake watched over a small display of antique machines parked underneath a tree. A butter churner, water pump and grist mill -- all between 70 years and a century old -- sat beside him as spectators strolled by. "It's great," said Mr. Drake, a Mount Zion resident, of his second-year experience at the fair. "It's the first fair of the season and everyone is enthused. All the kids want to get out of school and come to the fair." Keeping with the spring fair's agricultural roots, large tractors and combines stood sentry outside of a sprawling tent that housed livestock, from cattle to four-day old chicks. Wandering through the swine section, Matt and Jess Thompson pushed their 11-month-old son past a large mother pig with feeding piglets. "It's something we like to do as a family," said Ms. Thompson. "We used to come for the music at night and the tractor pull, but now we're a family. It's interesting to look around at everything." For more information, visit brooklinspringfair.com. Spring fair brings people back to Brooklin year after year Jason Liebregts / MetroLand BROOKLIN -- The Brooklin Spring Fair attracted the crowds with a parade, midway, displays and special events. Above, Paul Williamson with his kids, Nathan and Katelyn, rode the Superman ride on June 4.