The Carman Fair was in full swing with three full days of activities for all ages, and the Farmtastic Fun Zone proved to be one of the biggest draws for kids and parents alike. Trish Aubin, treasurer of the fair, says it all began with a few ideas that turned into something bigger.
“We had the foam party on Thursday, Sleepy the Clown on Friday, and Gel Battles was on Saturday,” says Aubin. “So we had three kids' activities each day, but then we wanted to elaborate on it so we could have something kind of going all the time.”
The Farmtastic area includes homemade games and interactive displays with a playful agricultural twist. Many of the activities are self-directed, giving families the flexibility to jump in and play whenever they like.
"Our goal was to dive into the fundamentals of farming and agriculture, and we aimed to spread this message as widely as possible," says Aubin.
The displays started with a few simple ideas, like a Plinko board and bowling pins that quickly evolved into games like “Feed the Pig” and “Whack the Mouse,” most of which were homemade with reused materials and some inspiration from Pinterest finds.
Other kid activities were positioned in Area B, including the AG on the Moove displays and the petting zoo, where kids can snap photos with wooden farm character cutouts. Aubin says she’s thrilled by how many young families are enjoying the area.
Long-standing showcase inside the Exhibit Hall
One of the cornerstones of the Carman Fair is its Exhibit Hall, managed by director Marcy Vandenbos. Inside, it’s a vibrant mix of school projects, junior crafts, adult baking, photography, art, and the increasingly popular quilt section.
“We put out a prize book in the beginning of the year, around March,” says Vandenbos. “The school kids, they enter all kinds of stuff, which can include school projects, pictures, anything like that.”
The exhibit has been part of the fair for its full 145-year history, with contributions from all ages and communities.
“We have a junior section outside of the schoolwork,” adds Vandenbos. “They do sewing, leatherwork, and woodwork.”
Adult submissions are evaluated by certified judges from the Manitoba Ag Society, while local teachers are brought in to judge the youth entries. Setup begins Tuesday night and continues through Wednesday morning, with judging to follow.
“Wednesday we had about 45 volunteers to help the judges,” continues Vandenbos. “They go from six years old to sixteen, and they're the ones that climb on the tables, and they stick it all up and make it presentable.”
She emphasizes that it’s the exhibitors who make the hall possible.
Petting zoo offers hands-on learning
Outdoors, the Ruddneck Ranch Farms petting zoo gives children a close-up look at goats, piglets, bunnies, chickens, and more. Owner Jacqueline Rudd says she launched the mobile zoo after turning her passion for animals into a small business.
“I breed livestock, plus I also do the petting zoos. I’ve gone to about 15 to 17 this year,” says Rudd. “I go everywhere from northern Manitoba all the way down to Western Ontario.”
Rudd’s favourite animal is her pygmy goat, Snow, who recently had triplets. She also adores her silky chickens and friendly pig, Marie, who loves belly rubs. For her, it’s not just about the cuteness factor, it’s about what animals can teach us.
“I wanted to bring awareness of how animals can be education, and therapy,” says Rudd. “One of my biggest advocates for this is the education part of it, like learning that animals aren’t just meat. They can be pets. They can be used for milk. They’re so much more than food.”
Rudd grew up in Roland and has lived in Carman for the past decade. She’s excited about the future plans for her farm as it moves to Piney, Manitoba, where she hopes to eventually offer farm visits and goat yoga.
The Kinettes Club serves up community spirit and delicious food.
Fairgoers craving comfort food will find plenty at the Kinettes Club booth, where the “Taco in a Bag” and burgers are crowd favorites. Dina, president of the Carman Kinettes Club, says the food stand is about more than meals, it's about community.
“We had a lady who stopped by on Wednesday while we were prepping and said, ‘Can’t wait to be here. I wait all year for a taco in a bag from the Kinette booth,’” says Dina.
The club’s proceeds support local initiatives, with over $14,000 donated last year alone.
The burgers, she adds, have a secret weapon: fried onions.
“The thing about the burgers is the fried onions,” continues Dina.
Horse shows, ribbons, and midway rides
Horse events are a major feature of the fairgrounds, with youth taking part in trail class competitions, showmanship, and games like pole bending. JJ Gates proudly earned her first-place ribbon in the trail class on her horse, Montana, this was her first time showing the mare.
“I was happy about that,” says Gates.
She and Montana were entered in several more events over the weekend, including the pony show and keyhole race.
Weekend packed with attractions
The Carman Fair continued through Saturday with a jam-packed schedule that included face painting, livestock shows, live music, antique tractor pulls, fireworks, and more. Aubin says the feedback so far has been overwhelmingly positive.
“We’re really happy with how things have turned out this year,” says Aubin.
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