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: Planet....something

Bridgewater, NS

July 26, 2013

'Nuff said.

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!

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!

Big Ex Demo Derby: Mean Machine

The Big Ex

Demolition Derby

July 29, 2012

If I remember correctly, this was a '72 Chevy Malibu.  All that really matters is that this car is one mean mother effer.  

The driver was a 'seasoned pro', as you can see by how little damage was incurred after multiple sessions of 'smash and crash'.

If you get a chance to check out a demolition derby, DO IT!

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. 

This car is gooood, but it could use more crowbar....

The Big Ex:  Demolition Derby

Bridgewater, NS

This team spent quite a while trying to pry off that bumper.  I'm not sure how it was attached, it seemed pretty resistant to crowbars and pry bars, that's for sure!

This car eventually won the title of 'most crushed'.  It's a Pontiac Grand Am, remember what it looks like because the 'after' photo does not look like a Grand Am.  Stay tuned!

The Big Ex: Demolition Derby

After a year of regretting that I missed last year's demo derby, I finally got a chance to check out the spectacle that is The Big Ex demolition derby.  

What___a__shit__show.

I'm sure somewhere, J.G. Ballard was smiling down on Bridgewater that drizzly Sunday.  

This was the scene that greeted upon arrival.  Sweaty men with beer guts, sparks, big pieces of metal, grease, etc..  All signs pointed to awesomeness.  This crew was.....welding something to.....something.  

The stands were packed full of excited derby watchers like myself.  We were not disappointed!  Round after round of gasoline charged mayhem ensued all afternoon.  Stay tuned for more pics in the days and weeks to come.

If you are kicking yourself for missing out on all the shenanigans, fear not faithful readers.  The Coldbrook Lions have an event at the end of August which looks even MOAR ridiculous!

Billed as the 'Bash for Cash', it will feature 80-100 cars registered to get destroyed.  Heck, there's even a mini van class, what's not to love?!?  

August 26th.  In a gravel pit.  Be there.  I know I will.

What's on this weekend? Bacon, eggs, beans and more bacon!

Time to get back to my usual routine of sharing out local community fundraiser/food events!

Two breakfasts on offer this weekend, all the other community groups and their volunteers must be at the beach or the cottage...

The Big Ex returns next week, kicking off on Tuesday with the SUPER popular street parade starting at 6 pm (bring a lawn chair and arrive early to scope out a good spot).  I might have to check out the wrasslin' event on Thursday the 26th...there's going to be a breakdancing/wrestling robot, I mean...C'MON!  Shockwave the Robot.  That is all.

Breakfasts

July 21, Saturday: 

Riverport and District Firemen's Breakfast, 

7:30- 11:30 a.m., 

usual menu, 

$7 adults; $3 children 6- 12; children 5 and under free. 

Next breakfast August 4.

Saturday, July 21
Benefit Breakfast For Fellow Firefighter and EMT, Robert Frampton. 

Bridgewater Fire Department,

7- 11 a.m. 

Bacon, Eggs, Hashbrowns, Toast, Baked Beans, Coffee/ Tea/ Juice. 

Adults $7; children, $4 (5 and under are free)

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!