The 138th-annual Beaver Valley Fall Fair kicks off Friday, Sept. 5 and continues Saturday with a host of tried and true fair events, plus some new and exciting additions.

The fair's official opening is at 7 p.m. Friday at the Beaver Valley Community Centre. The community centre is open Friday morning from 10 a.m. to noon for exhibit entries. Judging begins at 1 p.m. and the exhibits will be on display Friday night.

Outgoing fair ambassador Kaisha Thompson will officially open the fair. Opening ceremonies also include the school potato and fruit basket auction, crowning of the Sunflower Guardians and the baby showcase. That will be followed by the family skate in the arena from 7:30 to 9 p.m.

Saturday's fun kicks off at 10 a.m. at the community centre and Moreau Park.

New to the fall fair is "Kid Magic" magician Zach Gauthier who will wow audiences at 11 a.m and 1:45 p.m., Bubbles the Clown who will be on hand to do face painting, and the Acting Out Youth Theatre Company which will be making a theatrical presentation.

In addition, the farmers Olympics has a junior division this year with hay bale throwing, nail driving, wheelbarrow racing and the pedal power tractor pull on the schedule of events.

New this year for exhibitors is the "first-time exhibitor" prize offered in each class (except the new class of woodcarving) for the person with the highest points in that class. Anyone who hasn't entered a specific class in the past three years qualifies as a "first-time exhibitor."

Returning for the fifth straight year is the horse show on the big ball diamond. Registration is at 10:30 a.m. and the classes begin at 11 a.m. Classes include showmanship, pleasure, command, musical chairs, barrel racing, flag and keyhole races, hunter and apple bobbing and include age divisions for everyone.

The farmers Olympics begins at 1 p.m. beside the antique farm machinery display in Moreau Park. Competition will feature hay bale throwing, nail driving, bag tying and a wheelbarrow race. The juniors will battle it out first, followed by the adult divisions.

For animal lovers, there's a petting zoo, sheep shearing demonstration, baby chick pen, chicken-drop bingo and pony rides. The always popular children's pet show begins at 10 a.m., and horse-and-carriage rides will be offered again. In addition, the Kinettes return with their penny carnival and BVO is offering a children's activity tent.

On the ice in the arena, the Beaver Valley Kinsmen men's four-on-four hockey tournament is back for a second year and will be sure to entertain all day.

Machinery enthusiasts will want to catch the Blue Mountains Fire Department demonstration, see the motorbike parade and check out the antique farm machinery display.

For fans of fun and silly, the apple peeling contest is scheduled for noon in the community centre, while the bubble gum contest is 1:30 p.m. at the information booth.

All that and more for the low admission rate of $5 for adults and $4 for students for a one-day pass, or $8 for adults and $5 for students for a two-day pass. Entry to the family skate on opening night is included with paid admission. As always, elementary school students and children under five are free.

For complete details, see the Fall Fair book. It's available for free at Jessica's Book Nook and the L.E. Shore Memorial Library in Thornbury, Riverside Graphics in Clarksburg, Blue Mountain Gourmet Bakery in Heathcote and the Ravenna General Store.