The Petrolia/Enniskillen Fall Fair opened Friday with the agricultural society dealing with angry ride-lovers.
Last year, the agricultural society didn’t have a midway. This year, it hired Family Time Amusements and advance passes were sold for $25.
But the ag society faced criticism when the company rolled into town and there were only four rides suitable for younger children. The agriculture society says they were told the rides for young adults, however they were not able to be repaired in time for the Petrolia Fair.
The agricultural society was deluged with complaints on social media with people asking for refunds.
The company offered a five dollar discount to those who were upset, but they had to enter the fairground to get the cash.
By the end of Friday, the agricultural society said people with the passes could use them for one day’s free admission to the fair. “We know this isn’t a perfect solution, but it is the best we can do,” the society wrote in a social media post.
Some people appreciated the move; “It is not easy planning an event like this. Thank you for stepping up when the midway company failed to do anything,” said Nicole Gauthier.
“I think this is very kind of the fair board to offer this as this is out of the control of the fair board and they are now losing money to try and fix this mess that the ride company has caused,” wrote Becky Krall.
But others were still looking for a full refund, with some saying they paid admission to get into the fair to try to get a refund from the company which they didn’t get.
Despite the online complaints, the fairgrounds were busy Friday night with the Tractor Pull drawing a large crowd.
The event continues with the baby show and heavy horse show first thing Saturday. The parade is at 11 pm.
The full schedule can be found here. https://www.petroliafair.ca/fair-weekend-schedule.
