This weekend (July 24 to 26), Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Country Fest returns to Albion Fairgrounds. It’s been held here, under a variety of names, dates, and with different attractions, since 1901.
The first fair was traditional. There were competitions for livestock, produce, pickled vegetables, and what was referred to as “ladies work,” along with a 12-mile bicycle race (all the competitors wiped out at least once).
This year still has a lot of things folks from the 1901 edition would recognize – there are sheep shearing demonstrations, 4-H competitions, displays of garden produce, and a pie-eating contest.
But as Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows have grown, so has the fair. There’s now a public skate, food trucks, midway rides, and live entertainment including singers, dancers, and a lumberjack show.
At its heart, though the fair remains a local production, by and for the community. A host of volunteers – 100 to 150 every year – ensure it runs smoothly, working for months before the event and carrying it through to its final day.
The word country in its name isn’t a relic, either. This free fair remains a reminder that everything on our plates at every meal only exists because of farms and farmers.
Weighty matters aside, the best reason to come out to an old-fashioned agricultural fair is that it’s fun.
This is especially true for families and kids. Seeing livestock up close is very different from seeing animals on television – there will be cows, sheep, goats, dogs, and rabbits raised by the 4-H members, live and in person.
The displays of what are now referred to as “home arts” include gardening produce, fibre arts, and local baking.
All of these displays are by local community members, and if you visit and feel inspired to try your hand at growing a perfect heirloom tomato or making a cable-knit sweater, there’s nothing stopping you from entering next year and participating in the fun directly.
So come out, eat some fair food, meet the goats, and see what your neighbours can do with some zucchini seeds. There’s nothing quite like it.
Look forward to seeing you at Country Fest!