Despite the success of the 72 annual Lakes District fall fair, one unfortunate incident took place during the event.
According to event organizers, antique tractors were vandalized at some point during the event that took place from Sept. 10 to 13, 2015. Organizers are not sure exactly which day of the event the incident took place.
“Fuel caps were taken off some of the tractors and water was put into the tanks; and the caps were replaced,” explained Gordon McFee, one of the fall fair organizers. “There is not a water source close to the tractors, so water would have had to be carried some distance.”
McFee said this is the first time fall fair organizers had to deal with an act of vandalism.
“The fall fair organizers and owners of the tractors were very disappointed with this act of vandalism, as we have never had to deal with any such thing before,” said McFee. “We were surprised that something of this nature could happen, especially in view of the fact that we have 24/7 security on the grounds during fair weekend.”
Fall organizers did not contact the RCMP about this incident and have no suspects in mind.
Another unusual incident at the Lakes District fall fair
Besides antique tractors being vandalized during this year’s Lakes District fall fair, another unusual incident took place during the event.
On Friday night, Sept. 11, the main gate to the fairgrounds was damaged by a white pickup truck “ramming the gate several times,” according to event organizers.
“In this case, the security knew it was a white pickup, but by the time they [security] got to the gate, the vehicle was gone,” said Gordon McFee, one of the fall fair organizers.
The Burns Lake detachment of the RCMP was notified about this incident. However, corporal Terry Gillespie said the suspect was not located.
