Close to 12,000 people gathered at the Orangeville Fairgrounds for the 154th Orangeville Fall Fair over the Labour Day weekend.

As usual, there were the standard cattle and beef shows that were all reasonably successful.

But as well there were the same dads shelling out $20 to $30 on the midway to throw the balls and win their kids a toy that could probably be picked up for $1.98 at the dollar store.

As for the cattle shows, in the arena, Fall Fair president Wes Thompson said the number of exhibitors was down slightly from last year. He figured this year's wet weather may have played a role in that.

"We finally had a good weekend, so many farmers may have decided to stay home and get the crop in.

But there were some new twists to this year's edition.

For the first time, a

motorcycle stunt show was held on Saturday night where bikers thrilled spectators with feats of daring (and had more than a few shaking their heads and wondering whether or not the bikers were insane).

There was also the demolition Derby on Sunday and the monster truck rally on both Saturday and Sunday. Both have established themselves as crowd favourites.

Another successful fair highlight was the Aviva Pilot Insurance hot air balloon, with rides that turned out to be a major fundraiser for Hospice Dufferin. All told, the money raised at the fair from a raffle for a balloon flight for two and the tethered rides plus a donation from Orangeville Insurance matching Aviva Pilot's, brought the total amount of money raised for the hospice to $3,700.