Dear Editor:
We want to clarify what the new Summerland Fall Fair taking place on Sept. 7 and 8 is all about.
Many people are asking us this at the Music in the Park and Sunday market.
After a three-year hiatus, the 105-year tradition celebrating Summerland’s agricultural roots is coming back with lots of great affordable events for the whole family.
Our focus is to acknowledge what a huge economic driver agriculture still is to Summerland, hail the home gardener, canner and artisan and reinforce that the best way to provide food security and sustainability is to buy local.
We want to give this message while having a lot of fun, hands on events for all ages.
The fair will open with a new concept, the Friday Night Street Festival featuring local food, wines and talent from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Three great bands including Jack and Jill, the Hillside Outlaws and the Summerland String Band with country dancing, will provide entertainment all night.
Children’s zucchini bobsled races, horse rides, face painting and ATV rides round out the program for the young ones.
You can come meet your local farmers at the Farmers’ Tailgate Party. Pie eating contests and many local foods, wines and ciders will tempt you to stay the whole evening.
On Saturday at the Curling Rink, “Summerland Pride of Agri-Culture” will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The fair will keep to its traditional values with an exhibition of food, flowers and crafts, with an additional focus on the importance of wineries, cideries and related craft industries, as well as innovations and developments in today’s agriculture.
Educational demonstrations on beekeeping, canning and container gardening led by local agriculturists as well as music and dancing round out the Main Stage activities.
Vendor booths by local businesses will offer hands-on events and a chance to buy local products. An arts and crafts tent, a petting zoo, wagon rides and face painting offer many exciting events for children. Food and cidery booths will offer a local, tasty spot for lunch.
Businesses, farms and residences will join the celebration by participating in a Harvest Street Decoration challenge to decorate the entrances to their properties. The decoration challenge will be a way to include the community at large and encourage visitors to explore our town.
Most events are free on both days. We hope that residents and visitors will enjoy the many fun events as well as learn about the present and future of Agri-Culture.
Denise MacDonald and Margaret Holler
Summerland Fall Fair Committee
Summerland