Orillia Fall Fair returns
After a year-long forced hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a family-friendly fall favourite has returned to the sunshine city.
The Orillia Fall Fair marked its return to the region today. The popular festival was put on hold in 2020 due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic.
"People have been so cooped up at home because of COVID," says Chad Cooke, the president of the Orillia & District Agricultural Society, the group behind the fair. "It's nice to be able to get out and finally get back to a little bit of reality, safe reality, but reality."
This year marks the 171st that the fair has taken over the grounds of ODAS Park. The festival is traditionally three days but was reduced to just one day to the COVID-19 pandemic. Officials say after the last year, it was needed.
"Due to the overwhelming response, I think it's important to a lot of people," says Cooke. "You have to maintain doing everything safely, of course, but you need to experience a bit of life as well. I think this is the first real sign of normalcy in our area that we've seen in a long time."
The health unit limited capacity to no more than 5,000 people. Officials say they are hoping to expand to the standard length once again for next year.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Man convicted of involuntary manslaughter in father's drowning, told police he was baptizing him
A Massachusetts man who told police he was exorcising a demon and performing a baptism when he shoved his father's head under water multiple times has been convicted of involuntary manslaughter in his death.
New Norad commander calls Canada's defence policy update 'very encouraging'
American troops will be spending more time training in the Far North, the new commander of Norad says, a strategy that fits 'hand-in-glove' with Canada's renewed focus on Arctic defence.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Are Canadians getting sick from expired food?
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.