The Lighthouse Community Hall will be filled with vegetable monsters, pickled goods, fine needlework and scrumptious baking among other interesting items this weekend, with the 41st annual Lighthouse Country Fall Fair set for Saturday.
Organizer Sheena McCorquodale said the exhibit entries are the heart of the fair and some of the faces that return to enter items every year are those of enthusiastic kids in the area.
Twelve-year-old Carter Worthen and his 10-year-old sister Hannah have been entering items into the fair for years, Carter since he was three and Hannah, four.
They both recall making vegetable creatures their first year and over the years they have expanded their repertoire to include many other arts and crafts.
This year Hannah is submitting baking, a collage, a paddle and a paper mache monster. She said she looks forward to going to the fair every year.
“It’s fun and I see lot of friends and there are lots of events,” she said.
Carter may be a bit more competitive, especially since last year he was up against his younger sister in many categories for the first time.
“I really enjoy the competition part and seeing who comes out the winner,” he said, adding, “and I enjoy making the arts and crafts.”
Carter is entering pillow he made in home economics class, a painting, Lego creations and woodwork this year.
Hannah and Carter have won countless ribbons over the years but Hannah is most proud of her overall junior winner ribbon last year and Carter his high aggregate ribbon for best in his age group two years ago.
The kids’ mother, Katie has been involved in the fair for about 10 years, initially entering her own items, but now she just concentrates on the kids’ endeavors.
“The kids’ part of the Fair has become larger over the years and it’s fun to see what they will do,” she said.
Katie said it’s nice when lots of kids get
involved and enter items in the fair, resulting in new friendships and a strong sense of community for both parents and kids involved.
Besides the exhibit entries, the fair will have a number of free activities for kids including mini-boat races, hamster ball races, a bouncy castle, a giant slide, a merry-go-swing, face painting, pony rides and family games.
There will be a bike and pet parade, dog sports demos, a petting zoo, live entertainment, a British car show and a number of local artists and artisans including some demonstrations.
The Lighthouse Country Fall Fair happens Saturday, Sept. 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m at the Lighthouse Community Hall in Qualicum Bay. Admission is $5 for adults and kids 12 and under are free. For more information on the day's events visit www.communityclub.ca or call 250-757-9991. Pick up the Entries and Exhibit guide at local businesses or view it online at http://issuu.com/sheenamcc/docs/fallfair2011.
Fair entries are excepted today, Friday, Sept. 2 from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.