A Weekend of Wonderment!
Despite the damp winds, I braved the GNE this past weekend with my dear friend, and had a most wonderful time!
You can’t start a day like that without sustenance and so our venture into the fall festivities began with a most delicious brunch at The Olde Red Hen Restaurant on Hurontario Street in Collingwood. I adore this place! Not only is this place a Collingwood institution, but the to- die-for diner fare is well worth the wait in line as well. A visit to The Olde Red Hen Restaurant is like visiting with friends; you are always greeted by the warm and friendly staff who welcome you with open arms and witty repartee
Once arriving at the fair, I found myself completely beguiled. The sights, sounds, smells and wonderstruck looks in the kid’s faces brought back some childhood memories of my own; so much so, that like the wide-eyed middle aged kid that I am from time to time, I braved the ferris wheel, candy apple in hand, for a bird’s eye view of what was going on around me. From atop the world, or so it seemed at the time, I seized the opportunity to breathe in all the beauty that is the Collingwood area, awash the see of spectators below me. There was something for everyone at the GNE; a midway, livestock competitions, tractor pulls, a mud-bog derby, a showcase of tap dancing prodigies, horribly delicious and artery clogging deep-fried everything, vintage tractor displays, country crafts and even a milking demonstration, to name but a few. Needless to say, I am now on the hunt for the next small town fall fair to suitably wet my appetite for the fair to end all fall fairs….. the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair! I fear that this may be turning into an addiction.
Michael