If you’re looking for a bargain or want to do a little pickin’, you won’t want to miss the Knox United Church Fall Fair this Saturday, Sept. 13.
Now in its 10th year, the old fashioned fair has become a fall favourite, providing treasure seekers an opportunity to rummage through a flea market filled to the brim.
Church volunteers have been busy collecting, baking, sorting, organizing, e-mailing and yes, praying, in preparation for the big day.
The Herculean effort started months ago when garages and storage lockers stuffed with donations were sorted, priced and assembled.
When the fair gets underway first thing Saturday morning, the corner of Pym Street and Humphrey Road in Parksville will be one busy place.
Outdoor activities will kick off with a pancake breakfast that starts at 7:30 a.m. and runs until 10 a.m.
At 8 a.m. the giant garage sale and used furniture tent is open for business with the Knox building complex opening at 8:30 a.m.
The best bargains usually go to the early birds but if you are not a morning person you have until 2 p.m. to browse the booths.
With an emphasis on family fun and fellowship, great food and entertainment and value-packed booths of all kinds the fair is widely anticipated by treasure seekers who come from far and wide every autumn to pick through the massive garage sale.
Beyond the flea market there will a silent auction, baking, preserves, fresh produce, plants and all sorts of fun activities for children.
The Kid Zone includes face painting, cool crafts, magnet painting and even a Mad Hatters booth where you can make your own crazy hat.
An outdoor concession from 10:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. will offer hamburgers and hotdogs and for an extra treat, the delicious strawberry shortcake stall will open at 10 a.m.
The entertainment begins at 9 a.m. with a performance by Qualicum Beach musician, Christie Mountain. At 9:30 a.m. the Rainbow Stew Cloggers will dance to a mixture of musical styles.
At 10:30 a.m., The Ramblers who play and sing a variety of old-time music will entertain the crowd. At 11:30 a.m. the Oceanside Scottish Country Dancers will kick up their heels and from 12 to 1 p.m. students from the Studio 29 Academy of Music will sing their hearts out.
Allison Shaw who mentors the young singers said there will be some soloists as well as a choir and she said they are talented beyond their years.
“I’m excited for my students,” she said.
“It’s a chance for them to perform after working hard in the summer camps. They are all amazing singers and I am very proud of them.”
Several of Shaw’s students will be performing solos including 14-year-old Taylor McCabe and seven-year-old Moriah Kostamo.
The two were semi-finalists in the first ever Parksville Idol contest which was part of the Quality Foods Canadian Open Sand Sculpting Competition and Exhibition.
Both singers wowed a big crowd gathered at the Parksville boardwalk gazebo stage back on August 9.
Kostamo who lives in Errington sang Edelweiss and received rave reviews from the judging panel.
She will perform the touching song from The Sound of Music once more on Saturday.
McCabe who lives in Bowser also impressed the Idol judges and she will sing Stay With Me by Sam Smith.
Admission to the fair is free and all proceeds are used to the support charities in the community, as well as worthy causes internationally.
Organizers encourage folks to park at Ballenas Secondary School and take the free shuttle service to the church.