by Barbara Manning Grimm
Everyone is invited to “take a bite” and enjoy the hometown goodness during the Summerland Fall Fair this weekend.
The 103rd annual fair is set for 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at the Summerland Curling Club, 8820 Jubilee Rd. East. Gate fee is $5 a person. Children 12 and under will get in free when accompanied by an adult.
Connie Davis, president of the fair, said this year’s Take A Bite theme is an invitation to savour the flavours in the fruits, wines and food pairings, as well as enjoy the many other aspects of hometown goodness.
“We very much have a local emphasis.”
Judges will pick the best locally produced fruit, vegetables, dairy products, eggs, honey, wines, cider, beer, flowers, livestock, pets, baking, canning, handicrafts, photos, writing and other items on display.
Old-fashioned fun and food will be available, including traditional Ukrainian fare, a pie-baking contest, a quilting exhibit, free apples and a contest for creating the longest apple peel.
Local entertainers will also be performing, including cowboy poet Grant Stone, Neil Young tribute artist Kevin Foley, 11-year-old singer Trista Algar, recording artist Linnea Good, the western stylings of Melita Ree and Wendy Rodocker, Summerland Pipes and Drums, and Uncle Chris the Clown.
This year Summerland’s not-for-profit organizations are getting a fee exemption for their information booths, thanks to a provincial community gaming grant.
More than one activity will be used to raise money for the local food bank.
A “can-struction” contest will make use of canned and boxed goods that will later be donated to the food bank. Summerland IGA will be selling corn and kabobs in a fund-raiser for the food bank. Davis pointed out this is a needy time of year for the food bank, with donations at a seasonal low.
Kids will enjoy a new Lego bin and a little train.
For both children and parents, a pioneer workshop will give everyone a chance to make rope, grind wheat, drill, hammer and nail using hand and foot powered tools.
For the second year there will be a junk-to-funk fashion show, in which recycled materials are made into wearable art.
Interactive renaissance games for the whole family, a medieval trading post, home arts demonstrations, an imagination market and local wine tasting are just some of the other activities to enjoy.
The Big Apple contest will ask participants to guess the weight, girth and volume of the Fall Fair Apple, which is a fibreglass septic tank designed by Jim Ripley of Turtle Tanks and sanded and finished by Kelsey Van Alphen and the crew of Alder Street Autobody.
In keeping with the local wine industry, wine tasting and food pairing will be offered.