107th annual Cumberland County Exhibition returns to Oxford, N.S.

A Maritime tradition continues this week as the 107th annual Cumberland County Exhibition takes over Oxford, N.S.

“It’s been going really well,” said Michelle Casey, president of the Cumberland County Exhibition. “This is the first week that we’ve returned to a full week. For the last five years, it’s been spread out over two weekends.”

Spectators, including a few canine attendees, gathered to watch the competitions.

“So our light horse and beef competitors are all from across the Maritimes,” said Kylynne Sheffield, one of the exhibition directors. “Furthest probably from P.E.I. and northern New Brunswick.”

Sophie Cullen of Parrsboro, N.S., and her horse Levi took home first prize in the ranch rail competition.

“I like spending the time with Levi and we get to meet lots of new people,” said Cullen. “It’s really fun.”

The Saint John Exhibition in New Brunswick is also underway. According to Christine Carter, one of the directors of the exhibition, it takes a full year of planning to bring it all together.

“It’s definitely 365 days a year for us,” said Carter. “Volunteer hours, and we’re a complete volunteer board. There are no paid positions. So we really are thankful for the people that devote their time to this.

“It’s changed a little bit over the years, but it’s still the basic, salt of the Earth exhibition. Currently it’s about 10 people that put on the whole exhibition. But we’re really thankful that the week of people in the community stepped up and they volunteer for gates, or to run bouncy castles.”

Saturday’s events include a strong man and woman competition and prom dress barrel racing. The exhibition wraps up Sunday with an inclusive class beef show.