ANTIGONISH – Even though a late-summer wind and rain storm had a devastating effect on attendance, Mother Nature couldn’t wash away the sense of optimism for organizers created by those who attended the 160th Eastern Nova Scotia Exhibition (ENSE).
“We still had a positive atmosphere, which is encouraging,” Pat van den Heuvel, president of the ENSE’s board of directors, told The Journal on Monday afternoon.
Nevertheless, because of the horrible weather that essentially wiped out the final three of the five-day celebration of agriculture – particularly outdoor events – van den Heuvel conceded “it wasn’t a great year.”
He explained that the inclement weather not only led to the cancellation of some show class competitions, but also crippled the turnout for the midway, which, at times, had to shut down rides because of the conditions.
“They are usually our two biggest days,” van den Heuvel said of Friday and Saturday during the fall fair.
But, because of the weather, attendance numbers tanked.
“We tried to salvage Sunday,” van den Heuvel noted. But, just as the weather started to really cooperate, the horse pulls – the final event – were winding down in the early evening.
Before the dark clouds – literally and figuratively – moved over the ENSE, the anniversary celebration kicked off in grand style with the traditional 4-H Day on Sept. 2.
“It was terrific – our attendance was strong,” van den Heuvel said – both in terms of spectators and competitors.
Noting that there were “large classes,” he added, “We had a great showing and displays. Everything went really well.”
The following day – Sept. 3, the second of only two that offered summer-like weather – got off to a slow start because it coincided with the return to school for students.
Once classes were dismissed for the day, attendance ramped up throughout the afternoon and evening, culminating in “huge numbers” in the Antigonish Arena stands for the popular ATV obstacle course competition.
Exhibitors and visitors were able to enjoy a new addition to the Exhibition Grounds on James St. – the Jerome McCarron Pavilion, which replaced the so-called Cattle Barn, which was damaged beyond repair after a roof collapse due to a large volume and weight of snow last winter.
“People were really impressed,” van den Heuvel said of the response from visitors to the “big, beautiful” building that will serve as a key foundational piece for the ENSE for years to come.
Despite the drop in midway users, he noted that the company plans to return in 2027, with expanded offerings, including a Ferris wheel.
“They stayed open as much as they could,” van den Heuvel noted of the “excellent selection” of food vendors that kept participants and visitors well fed during the festivities.
He pointed out that the sale of 160th anniversary swag crafted by Ross Screenprint Ltd. – such as shirts and hats – “went over well” in the lead-up to the fall fair.
“We feel badly,” van den Heuvel conceded of the ENSE board’s disappointment in not doing more to mark the milestone.
He explained that the “main goal” – and a time-consuming one – for the organization heading into the 2026 fall fair was having the Jerome McCarron Pavilion – a crucial piece of infrastructure – up and running.
Again, despite the extended stretch of bad weather – which made the ENSE a shell of what it could have been – van den Heuvel agreed the board of directors is encouraged by the feedback from visitors, which will help fuel the effort and commitment to continue the rite of summer in northeastern Nova Scotia for years to come.
He added, “If we had gotten some better weather, it would have been a great event. But, you can’t control the weather.”
As ENSE organizers continue to crunch the numbers for this year’s fall fair and look toward the 161st instalment, they are positive.
“People were excited, and we know that they will be back again.”
