this friendly bird was greeting everyone
Cocka-doodle-awesome.
Dan and I were at PoultryFest Niagara this past weekend. Frustrated at missing this event last year, we made sure to have it marked on our calendar for this year.
Did I mention PoultryFest Niagara is a free event? It is! There is a donation box set up for whomever would like to give but there is no requirement to do so. The shuttle was even complimentary.
The event was split up in sections from Downtown to the Fairgrounds, but we honestly didn’t have time to do both. Looking at the events, we decided to stick with the Fairgrounds as it had a bit more to offer for us. Next year, we hope to hit up the Downtown portion.
Destination and map in hand, we parked our car at a local Smithville shopping plaza to grab our complimentary shuttle to PoultryFest.
arriving in style
After a very interesting ride through town, we entered the Fairgrounds to embark on our poultry-themed adventure. My eyes were immediately pulled to the Poultry Discovery tent. They were showing a hatchery and several live baby chicks and ducks were stumbling their way out of eggs. It was fascinating to watch life happening right there. To see a bird push its way out and begin to take on new sensations and information before you.
a new chick enters the world
As a wonderful surprise, I got to hold a duckling. I stood there for several minutes while he nuzzled my hand and kept falling asleep. I dreamt of whisking him away to live with me. I’d name him Howard, teach him to dance and we’d watch Howard The Duck every day, giggling over the silly bits. Of course, he wasn’t mine so I gave him back, but we had that moment I know he’ll remember in his little ducky heart.
Howard the Duckling
Heart slightly swelled and broken at the same time, it was a good opportunity to seek adventure further into PoultryFest.
PoultryFest Niagara was also featuring an Antique Tractor Pull & Show as well as a Classic Car & Truck Show. We walked around admiring the beautiful vehicles and debating over which one we’d choose to buy (in our dreams). No offense to the tractors, but they weren’t up for debate. I don’t think we’d be allowed to drive them on the highway.
John Deere is always a classic
one of my top picks
this one caught Dan’s eye
they both have their own kind of beauty
Ambling by the family zone, we passed several bouncy houses, slides and even a Royal Canadian Air Cadets obstacle course. Then we stood and watched a few kids pummel each other in the Gladiator arena.
okay, maybe this wasn’t a fight to the death but entertaining nonetheless
Over the course of a beautiful, sunny day we were able to partake in a good amount of the festivities. There was an Egg Drop Competition which looked pretty simple and challenging; not to mention a good way to get messy fast.
I wouldn’t have done any better
Ducking into the Arena and out of the heat, we caught most of the Spin Cycle show. It was pretty funny and quite entertaining for kids and grown-ups alike. We sat through a couple acts of the PoultryFest Idol Senior Competition. They were really good; I truly was expecting to need to leave and plug my ears!
Spin Cycle spinning plates
Spin Cycle showing that great things can come in small packages
Spin Cycle unicycle and balancing act
It was easy to find the Poultry Show tent – you just follow the squawking. There were so many gorgeous birds that I didn’t envy the judge’s position in having to sort them. Dan was finding the noise hard to bear after awhile but it really didn’t bother me. I love farm noises and find comfort in them but maybe I’m weird. After taking more pictures than should be allowed for someone who doesn’t own a bird herself, we popped out of the tent.
this bird knew it was beautiful – look at that attitude
Poultry Show judge
Once our feet just wouldn’t take us further, we stood in line to grab our wonderful tractor taxi back to our car. I was disappointed to miss so much, like the Chicken Chariot Races, Wing Eating Contest, downtown live music but the great news is that next year I can fill in the gap and have a whole new experience.
looks like chicken is on the menu
Information about PoultryFest Niagara can be found at their website at PoultryFest.ca.