 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
2008 Split Rail Festival
Village history dates back to the mid-nineteenth century, when immigrants, largely of Scottish and Irish ancestry, carved a livelihood and a future from the rugged forests. Their labours yielded some of the finest farmland in Grey County and these farms were And no more fitting symbol could be imagined when the decision was made in 1973, to host an annual gathering to honour this proud heritage, and raise funds to be re-invested back into the community. The Split Rail Festival is a salute to the hearty folk who settled this land and is held every year for the sake of preserving their heritage and history. With the recurring theme, “A Return to our Roots”, the Split Rail Festival is dedicated to both remembering the past and reminding the present, and showcasing displays and events that have become much-anticipated traditions for generations of visitors from near and far.
Traditionally held the third long weekend of September, the Festival gets underway, informally, on the Friday evening, with an annual gospel concert. Held at Grey Highlands Secondary School, the program features southern-style gospel music and various musicians and singers from across the region. Throughout the weekend of the festival, most events take place at the arena grounds and the High School, at the south end of town, but there are several events that take place though out the village. The Flesherton-Markdale Legion, the South Grey Museum and South East Grey Support Services each sponsor special events and entertainment, conveniently located in the small village. The Flesherton and District Chamber of Commerce has sponsored a horse-drawn shuttle wagon, to ferry visitors from the village to the festival and back.
The Saturday morning ceremonial “Splitting of the Rail”, often featuring a local or regional ‘celebrity’, signals the ‘official’ opening of the festival, and also allows the organizers an opportunity to recognize the honorary ‘Chairperson’ of the festival…a designation that rewards longstanding service to the community. Almost a requisite at a fall fair, the Heritage Field is rife with a varied selection of antique and vintage farm equipment; of considerable interest to area farmers of all ages, and especially intriguing to visitors from the city, for whom this step back in time may be a first. Antique tractors and other ancient implements are lined up for inspection, and the owners are proud of these antiques and the restoration that went into them, so there’s always someone to talk with.
For centuries, the home-made quilt as been an integral and comforting part of life in southern Ontario, and for three decades, Saturday’s Famous Quilt Auction has been an integral and popular part of Split Rail Festival. Close to 100 quilts and quilt tops, hand made, and many by the area’s Mennonite ladies, are unrivalled in quality and often sell for considerable less than those auctioned elsewhere. If there is any symbol that best exemplifies a by-gone era in a rural Ontario community, it is the image of the village blacksmith. Whether shoeing a plow horse, or repairing a wagon wheel, the smithy was an essential component of the business and the farm communities. And so, with this rich heritage, and with a thriving equestrian community in Grey County, the Split Rail Festival is again proud to host the Ontario Farriers Association’s Horseshoeing Championships on both the Saturday and Sunday of the festival. Tourists, visitors from the area, and anyone with an interest in horses will surely get caught up in the excitement in the pavilion, taking in the smells and sounds of some of the best blacksmiths from all across the country competing for prizes in a variety of disciplines…enjoyable, entertaining and educational! Local talent played a significant role in entertaining the visitors at the first Split Rail festivals, and little has changed. Continuous musical entertainment is offered on both days, and just as Flesherton has its roots in the rural tradition, on-stage entertainment now includes clog, step and square dancing, fiddlers and bluegrass music, community orchestras and old time dance music. The highlight of the entertainment calendar is Saturday afternoon’s ‘Battle of the Bands’, an exciting showdown between area young people, competing for local bragging rights and studio recording time… The “Kids Play Zone” offers rides and interactive games for the little ones, and again his year, the children’s program will feature “Babies on Parade” and the “Little Red Schoolhouse Spelling Bee”. No festival is complete without great food, and ‘Split Rail’ is no exception. A number of outdoor vendors offer an assortment of festival fare on both days, but on Saturday at 4 p.m., the line-up starts to form at the high school for the annual “Olde Tyme Fowl Supper”. A local tradition, this delicious feast features turkey with all the trimmings and an assortment of delectable pies, sponsored, prepared and served by volunteers from Flesherton Minor Hockey. So, whether you are from near or far, whether young or just young at heart,, you’ll find something to see and enjoy at the Split Rail Festival… So take a step back in time and sate your senses with the sights, smells and sounds of a bygone era…the whirring and humming of vintage farm equipment, the reminiscence of antique and classic cars…the heat of molten steel…the aroma of homemade baked goods and fresh foods…the infectious rhythm of fiddle and guitar and the lively staccato of the auctioneer… Accept this invitation from the Split Rail Festival and the villagers of Flesherton. Flesherton…So much more than just a pretty place!
|
Founded a hundred and fifty years ago as a mill town on the banks of the Boyne River, the picturesque village of Flesherton is nestled into the rolling highlands of Grey County, and is the “gateway” to the beautiful and captivating Beaver Valley. 
As such, it is one of the friendliest community events in Ontario. Growing out of a desire to serve the local community, the festival’s history has shown that visitors from far and wide have been drawn to the uniqueness and charm of the vendors, exhibitors and the varied events that have made ‘Split Rail’ such a memorable experience.
The Flesherton Farmer’s Market, set up at the High School parking lot, gets underway at 8:00 o’clock Saturday morning…tables are laden with baked goods, preserves, and locally grown fruits and vegetables.
One of the longest serving and most anticipated traditions of the Split Rail Festival is the annual two day Craft Show and Sale, held in the arena. Boasting a hand-made theme, over 80 vendors offer unique gifts, specialty foods, one-of-a kind art, clothing and crafts to suit any budget.