First held in 1932, Powell River’s Fall Fair returns for its 85th anniversary this weekend under the leadership of the recently formed Powell River Farmers' Agricultural Institute.
Taking place at Paradise Exhibition Grounds, the annual event will feature vendors, live music and the ever-popular exhibition hall with an enormous display of Powell River’s finest vegetables, fruit, canning, baking, crafts, art, photography and much more.
“People just love to see the events that are happening at the Fall Fair,” says committee treasurer Ellen de Casmaker. “They are fun things you don’t see every day.”
Items on display are judged in adult and children’s categories and ribbons are given out to the winners. More information on categories and judging can be found at the information booth at Powell River Farmers’ Market or online at prfarmers.ca.
In addition to food vendors and live music by Snag Alley and The Blues Busters on Saturday and Scout Mountain and Paradise on Sunday, there will be activities for children, including popular train rides, and animals, animals and more animals.
“It’s a great family event,” says de Casmaker. “There’s lots to eat, the music is all nice, upbeat bands, the kids’ zone is always really popular, and so is the animal barn.”
Local farmer and Powell River Farmers' Agricultural Institute member Kevin Wilson will be on hand during the weekend event doing homesteading and craft demonstrations of activities that harken back to simpler times.
“The types of demos he is planning are old-fashioned, homey skills,” says de Casmaker. “People have lost a lot of those skills, such as how to save seeds or grow certain things. People look at it as being intimidating, but if they can go to the Fall Fair and watch someone else doing it, maybe people will be interested in doing it themselves.”
Accessible parking for the Fall Fair will be available on Myrtle Avenue as there will be no vehicle access from McLeod Road. The fair committee also encourages the public to bring some extra toonies for five chances to win $500 in a 50/50 raffle.
Fall Fair
When: 12-5 pm, Saturday, September 16, and Sunday, September 17
Where: Paradise Exhibition Grounds (4365 McLeod Road)
Price: $5 (children free)
Info: prfarmers.ca
