Skip to content

Future of Fall Fair uncertain

Unless volunteers step forward to join the Summerland Fall Fair’s board of directors, the 103-year-old festival is in danger of folding.
75539summerlandFallFairmillingweb
Children at the Summerland Fall Fair spent time at the Pioneer Workshop

Unless volunteers step forward to join the Summerland Fall Fair’s board of directors, the 103-year-old festival is in danger of folding.

Connie Davis, past president of the fair, said there are just five people on the board. Ideally, the board would have 12 members, although it is possible to function with nine.

“It’s rather discouraging,” Davis said. “We can’t proceed with just five directors.”

When the fair is held on the second weekend of September, volunteers step forward to  help out. The difficulty comes in the rest of the year, when planning and preparation work are required.

For several years, the board has been losing members, although those who remained were willing to take on extra responsibilities.

This year, Davis has said she will step down from the presidency, although she will remain on the board as the past president to assist the new president.

Davis said new volunteers help to provide fresh ideas and fresh connections to the board.

While a suggestion has been made to cancel the fair for one year, Davis said the board voted against such a move.

In its history, the fair has been cancelled just once, during one of the world wars, she said.

She believes cancelling the fair for now would result in it closing permanently.

The board will meet on Wednesday, Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. at the Fall Fair office on Kelly Avenue.

At that meeting, the future of the fair will be determined, depending on whether volunteers have come forward to serve on the board.

Board terms are for two years.

The board meets once a month for an hour to an hour and a half. Members then have responsibilities between board meetings.

Those interested in volunteering are asked to contact Davis at 250-494-1448.

 



John Arendt

About the Author: John Arendt

John Arendt has worked as a journalist for more than 30 years. He has a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Journalism degree from Ryerson Polytechnical Institute.
Read more