LISSA ALEXANDER
reporter@pqbnews.com
One hundred years ago a group of farmers from Saanich moved to the Hillers area and decided to hold a fall fair.
They wanted to show what could be grown and raised in the area.
Since then the Coombs Fair has run annually, except one year during World War II.
And this year the fun will continue.
The Arrowsmith Agricultural Association is presenting the Coombs Fair August 10 and 11 at the Coombs Fairgrounds.
Saturday at 10 a.m. will be the official opening of the fair, and will be attended by local dignitaries and Coombs Fair veterans. The Fair will receive a prestigious award, the Century Farm Award, presented by local MLA Michelle Stilwell.
The official 100-year cake cutting ceremony will take place right after the pet parade on Sunday, which happens at 11.
This year the featured animal is the goat, and the Vancouver Island Goat Association will have a huge interactive display, with milking, cheese making and other goat-related activities.
The Coombs fair is known for one of the largest 4H shows on the island, and being the first fall fair in the area, many 4Hers make their way to the fair.
The club brings a variety of livestock, small engines, crafts, food, photography and more. The Cloverbuds, a pre-4H program of 6-8 year olds will also have a display set up.
The horse show is also a popular event and this year will include a musical ride around noon on Saturday.
Children will have their own fun zone called Doolittle Square, with games, activities, and rides including a bouncy castle.
Ladies Nail Driving is a popular event, that will happen Sunday afternoon about 3 p.m. And people won’t want to miss the duck and chicken races, both days at 4 p.m., with the finals taking place Sunday
There will be education displays and booths including the needle arts guild, spinners and weavers, rock and gem club and local blacksmiths.
People can peruse the fair entries, like baking, vegetables, flowers, arts and crafts, and vendors will be on-site selling locally made wares.
When fair-goers get hungry they can get homemade pies and bun-wiches from teh Teahouse.
Live music has been lined up by the ladies at the Soundgarden, including Ryan McMahon, who won three awards at the Vancouver Island Music Awards last year, including Artist of the Year. He will perform with Shannon Lyons, roots artist who has toured around Europe, Australia and North America. The two will perform from 1:30 to 3 p.m. on Saturday. Local favourite Peter Mason will also be performing (4:15, Saturday) and the popular Rainbow Stew Cloggers will entertain (10:15 to 11 Saturday, 10 to 10:45 Sunday) among other talented performers.
Music will run 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3:45 Sunday.
A pancake breakfast will run 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. both days and the buildings at the Fair will open at 9:30 a.m.
Admission is $5 per day for adults, $8 for a two-day pass, $3 for seniors and students, $5 for a two-day pass, $1 for six to 12 year-olds, and five and under are free.
It is $2 to park on the fairgrounds and free parking at the Coombs Rodeo Grounds, with a free shuttle service.