"Miss Six Nations and demo derby keeping Six Nations Fair alive"

Ten years ago, country greats like Ronnie Hawkins headlined the Six Nations Fall Fair, drawing in crowds numbering into the thousands at one of the oldest fairs in Ontario.

This year, the demolition derby and Miss Six Nations competition drew in the largest crowds, numbering into the hundred over a weekend.

Despite the small crowds, the 148th annual Six Nations Fall Fair, run by the Six Nations Agricultural Society, offered food and fun for those who did attend, and barely any line-ups for the kids wanting to take a whirl on one of the midway rides set up at the community hall.

The weather was perfect for a late August festival with not a drop of rain in sight all weekend.

The beloved Six Nations Ambassador's Pageant, which kicks off the three-day fall fair every year, saw Makelty Emarthle become the newest Miss Six Nations Friday night.

The crown was passed to her from former Miss Six Nations Chezney Martin.

Cara Hill, an accomplished public speaker and a 2015 Bay Area Science and Educational Fair (BASEF) winner, is the new Miss Teen Six Nations.

Miss Pre-Teen Six Nations is Shauntay Longboat; Miss Mini Six Nations is Chloe Bomberry; Little Miss Six Nations is Teegan Jonathan; the Tiny Tot Girl is Aiyana Anthony and the Tiny Tot Boy is Justin Restoule.

There were games to play, toys to be won, and deep-fried carnival fare to be eaten but one of the biggest draws was the annual demolition derby, a beloved favourite of fairgoers every year.

Over 100 people gathered in the grandstands to watch about a dozen old and beat up cars crash and smash their way around a dirt arena, some sparking into flames, with driver Landon Curley taking away the prize for being the last man standing only 15 minutes into the action.

Inside the Gaylord Powless Arena, community members dressed in traditional regalia enjoyed a social dance and smoke dance competition, while vendor booths offering crafts and jewelry lined the boards.

Friday night saw fireworks at the track, and Saturday saw a singing contest, an agility dog show, and chariot races at the Horse Track. There was also the annual baby show, which delights the crowd with adorable tots vying for the Most Typical Indian Baby moniker.

Crafts, student artwork and award-winning vegetables and produce were on display throughout the weekend at the Community Hall.

The annual fair used to be held one week later, in early September, but was switched to be held a week earlier to try and get better quality rides from midway companies, who are busy with over 100 fairs across the province in late August, said Fair Board Vice President Nikki Sky.

The fair coincides with the annual Mississaugas of the New Credit Three Fires Homecoming Powwow.