According to fair board secretary-treasurer Babs Wingrove, an estimated 25,000 to 27,000 people turned out for the festivities that kicked off Friday afternoon and wrapped up Sunday evening.

As usual, the demolition derbies drew large, excited crowds.

Husband and wife Kale and Jenn Rasberry already have two fresh cars ready for next year’s derby. For them, and many others, it’s all in good — though not so much clean — fun.

The demolition derbies have always been the highlight of their annual weekend at the fairgrounds.

This year was no exception.

The CV shaft on her car may have been destroyed — the wheels no longer connected to the engine — but nothing could demolish Jenn’s spirit and love for the fair, which just marked its 155th year.

It runs in the family. According to her sister- in-law Kristen Rasberry, “Having a fair makes it still feel like a small town.”

Kristen and Kale’s childhood home faced the fairgrounds, and Kristen was even the fair ambassador in 1997. She served as a junior director since she was nine or 10, and now serves as home craft director on the fair board. She’s also on the special needs board, and helps set up displays of work that mentally and physically challenged children have created, called the ‘Life Skills’ section.

For Milton resident Azeem Choudhry, 23, the fair experience was altogether new. Choudhry grew up in Mississauga, but recently moved to town. “It really showed to me that Milton cares about its traditions,.”

There was truly something for everyone at the event — even for the youngest of attendees.

The baby show handed out prizes for cutest smile, most teeth, and longest baby, and the pet show — sponsored by Hawkins Animal Hospital — recognized pooches in various categories such as ‘shaggiest dog’ to the delight of pet enthusiasts.

Also at the event, the safety of children was addressed. Parents were given the opportunity to partake in the IdentaChild program and walk away with a CD-ROM of identifiable information about their child — in case the child should ever go missing.

Another educational experience for attendees was EquiMania presented by Equine Guelph (University of Guelph). It’s an interactive youth education program designed to promote horse health and safety to horse enthusiasts of all ages and disciplines.

“It was not only educational to youth, it was also a fun event,” Wingrove says.

The fair was courtesy of about 75 volunteers who worked the grounds throughout the weekend as well as a nucleus of about 25 people — with their committees behind them — who tirelessly planned the event long in advance.