The Big Ex: Musik Express

The Big Ex

Bridgewater, NS

July 26, 2013

Colourful ride lit up at night?  Check.
Over sized toy in hand of onlooker?  Check.  
Carnie yelling, "Do you want to go FASTER?!?".  Check.  
Kids full of carnie food on the verge of puking?  Check.  

Just another night at the Ex.

The Big Ex: Ox Pull Spectators

The Big Ex

Bridgewater, NS

July 26, 2013

A mix of gents taking in the ox pull competition at the 2013 Big Ex.  Mr. Lunenburg County is in this shot, can you spot him? ;-)

The Big Ex: The Truth Hurts (especially if you're dead)

4-H Barn

The Big Ex

Bridgewater, NS

July 26, 2013

This was one of my favourite 4-H projects on display at this year's Big Ex.  I see that the judges agreed.  

The Big Ex: What are YOU Lookin' At?

The Big Ex Poultry Barn

Bridgewater, NS

July 26, 2013

Yikes, I didn't recall getting the look I received from this bird at the time.  Looking at it now, I think I'm lucky I didn't get pecked through the cage!  

I love the markings on this bird's plumage.  I wish I had taken a picture of its breed/name.  I'm going to guess it's a Wyandotte.  Feel free to correct me. 

The Big Ex: Mr. Lunenburg County

The Big Ex

Bridgewater, NS

July 26, 2013

Lunenburg County's very own big shot, Italy Cross & Middlewood Fire Dept. canteen fries in hand.  If you listen to CKBW birthday announcements, you know this regular caller!

What's on this weekend? Horse & ox pulls! Sailboats! Eco fair! Blueberries!!

Several festivals on this weekend, if you are anywhere in the Bridgewater to Chester area, there's something happening this weekend. ^_^

For those who have been searching for the date of the upcoming Conquerall Bank planked halibut supper, it's next Sunday (Aug. 25th).

Breakfasts

August 17 

Firemen's Breakfast 

Petite Riviere Fire Department Hall

$7 per person

Community Events

August 16 & 17

New Ross Community Fair

Schedule of events here

Aug 14 - 17

Chester Race Week

Official site

Aug 13- 17

Growing Green Festival

Bridgewater, NS

Official site

Suppers

Saturday, August 17

Blueberry Supper, 

St. Jerome's Church Hall, West Caledonia,

4:30- 7 p.m. 

Adults $10; under 12 $5; under 5 free.

August 25

Planked Halibut Supper; 

Conquerall Bank fire hall.

4:30-6:30 p.m. 

$15 adults, $6 children and under 5 free. 

Seating area inside while you wait. Wheelchair accessible.

The Big Ex opens today!

The Big Ex

Bridgewater, NS

July 25, 2012

That's right, today marks the opening day of The Big Ex.  No tampering with wrist bands, ya hear?

No visit to the Ex is complete without an order of fish and chips from the Italy Cross & Middlewood Fire Dept. stand.  Same goes for a bag of cinnamon sugar mini donuts.  Sunday's demolition derby is a must attend event.

Check out the schedule for detailed info.

See you at The Ex!

The Big Ex: Who Needs Sunblock?

The Big Ex

Bridgewater, NS

July 25, 2012

Clearly, these guys were not worried about the harmful effects of the sun's rays as they strutted around the exhibition grounds on this fine, sunny day in July.  

Does anyone know why a Newfoundland flag was flying from the building in the background?  I sure don't.

The Big Ex: Out and About

The Big Ex

Bridgewater, NS

July 25, 2012

This old fullah was out for a stroll near the main gate, soaking in the gorgeous and sunny day that was July 25th.  

The Big Ex: Laughing the Day Away

The Big Ex Dining Hall

Bridgewater, NS

July 25, 2012

These two women were having a good time serving up a delicious corned beef dinner this summer at The Big Ex.

A little levity at the workplace sure goes a long way!

The Big Ex at Night

The Big Ex

Bridgewater, NS

July 25, 2012

After a riveting evening of watching miniature pony races, I snapped this shot from the stands before leaving the exhibition grounds.  

My favourite fish and chips stand is in the foreground: Italy Cross and Middlewood Fire Department!

The Big Ex: Demolition Derby

The Big Ex: Demolition Derby

Bridgewater, NS

July 29, 2012

You are looking at the aftermath of the 6 cylinder class at this year's demo derby at The Big Ex.  This car won the 'most crushed' award...or was it 'best crush'?  

Believe it or not, the car in the ring is not a Smart Car or a hatchback. It is actually a Pontiac Grand Am!  Take a peek at a 'before' shot from an earlier post to compare.

As per usual, the local boys are keeping the Dukes of Hazzard alive with their tribute to the General Lee in the foreground.  (._.)

The Big Ex: Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner

The Big Ex dining hall

Bridgewater, NS

July 25, 2012

This may come as a shocker to my regular readers, but this was my first meal at the dining hall at TBE (aka The Big Ex).  I've walked past it every year but this time I finally made it inside for some down home grub served up Big Ex style.

It was pretty much what I expected.  Salty corned beef, luckily not too salty. All the veggies spent the requisite amount of time having the life boiled out of them in large pots.  The carrots were especially salty, bordering on unpalatable...but I soldiered on. The lemon meringue pie was a predictably delicious end to the meal.

It was a fun time, mostly for the people watching.  As you can see, there was no shortage of plaid in this joint!  The vinyl gingham table cloths were a nice touch.  Most men were sporting mesh backed ball caps and suspenders to accompany the regulation Dickies slacks.  Local yokels held court with their buddies, trading yarns about livestock and various diesel fueled machines.

I will definitely be returning to this eatery next year!

The Big Ex: Pure Country

The Big Ex

Bridgewater, NS

July 25, 2012

Another candid from The Big Ex, spotted around the horse barns.  One of the few times of the year you'll see someone walking around with a cowboy hat in Bridgewater.  

The Big Ex: Plum Tuckered Out

The Big Ex: 4-H Barn

Bridgewater, NS

July 25, 2012

A trip to Bridgewater's annual agricultural fair is not complete without a visit to the 4-H barn.  It's great to see a new generation of kids learning how to raise, care and breed animals.  Chances are, these will be more useful survival skills than how to code HTML5.

This scene greeted me as I entered the building.  A young boy crashed out on a couple bales of hay, not unlike the other mammals resting beside him. 

Swagger

Have you ever heard people refer to 'swagger' and not know what they mean? These kids have swagger, lots of it.

Spotted this summer at The Big Ex, of course!

None can resist the charms...

Of the reptile handler. Spotted back in July at The Big Ex.

Go for the four corners!

Bingo players spotted at this year's Big Ex.
I.........32. I.......three, two.

That;'s my kind of bus

No Yum Yum Bus at Crescent Beach last weekend, *sob*....

Step right up!

To be honest, I have never heard a carnie utter those words. I wonder if this guy has heard of sunblock? Methinks....no.