A newly formed society, led by members of Summerland’s agricultural community, wants to bring a fall fair back to the community.
The last year for the Summerland Fall Fair was 2014. It had been a tradition in Summerland for 105 years.
In early June, 2015, after a month of uncertainty, organizers chose not to hold the fair because of financial uncertainties and a shortage of board members.
The fair did not run in 2015, 2016 and 2017.
Denise MacDonald, one of the members of the newly formed Summerland Fall Fair Society, said there is interest from the community in bringing back the fair.
“A lot of people are responding enthusiastically,” she said. “It’s a matter of getting volunteers at harvest time.”
In past years, the fair has been held on the weekend following Labour Day. This is also when many orchardists are picking fruit.
MacDonald said the new fair will be re-imagined to include traditional farming as well as new value-added farming industries.
“We wish to remain true to its historical significance as a harvest festival by featuring and promoting the traditional artisan produce and crafts such as gardening, preserving and textiles,” she said. “As well, we wish to add certain events such as a street fair/parade, street fall decorating, children’s activities, youth talent contests, multicultural and farm-to-table food events and musical and theatre entertainment events.”
The agricultural component in the fair will also include Summerland’s growing wine industry.
The newly formed society will hold an organizational meeting on Nov. 29 at 4 p.m. at the Summerland Arts Centre, 9525 Wharton St.
The meeting will include a brainstorming session. MacDonald hopes young people with new ideas will come forward to share their ideas for the future of the fair.
“We will need farmers and non-farmers to pull this off,” MacDonald said.