Summertime Treat
Darren Stone, Times Colonist

Roosters at the Saanich Fair start cock-a-doodle-dooing as soon as the sun rises.

They continue throughout the day, too, contributing to the noise that is part of the commotion of the 136th edition of the fair which opened Saturday, continues today and wraps up Monday.

However, they’re just one small part of the fair-going experience. Upon passing through the gates at the fairgrounds, at 1528 Stelly’s Cross Rd., there is no shortage of treats for the senses.

Smells shift from cotton candy to popcorn around the midway and, among the food vendors, the spicy smell of ethnic cuisine wafts through the air.

There are also rabbits, goats and horses to touch, along with other animals to see such as the roosters.

Artwork and floral masterpieces act as eye candy and music teases the ears.

Linda Smith and a friend came from Gabriola Island to satisfy their curiosity about the fair and before the pair was able to meander much they were captivated by fly-ball, a race where pooches jump through hurdles and chase tennis balls.

At a nearby stage, highland dancers competed to the sound of bagpipes.

Eight-year-old Jordan Yonge sat quietly as his sisters, Hailey, 7, and

Taylor, 5, took the stage in their kilts. Despite their stellar performance,

Jordan’s favourite part of the fair remained the Gravatron, a spinning midway ride.

Nearby, convener Willi Boepple didn’t mind missing the entertainment. She’s used to it.

Wearing rubber boots in the dirt and straw, she marched two goats outside for a wash.

"I’m the lady with perpetual responsibility," Boepple said.

She organizes the shows and prepares the goats for competitions.

Boepple used her loving hands to make her goats – Hexenwald Manodalis, Hexenwald Medusa and Hexenwald Meelpaeg – look their prettiest by clipping, washing and drying them for judging.

At a nearby table covered in cages, a group of girls were consumed with caring for and teaching others about their rabbits.

"We’re here to show the bunnies," said 12-year-old Rachel Eyre, adding the group from Shawnigan Lake works all year to prepare for this weekend.

That is something 11-year-old Sarah Bickford also does.

She competed with her horses Nick and Ike in the showmanship competition. That’s where judges examine braids in the horse’s mane and tail, and also watch it walk and trot.

"I’ve been coming here since I was a baby," she said, adding she competed Saturday for the first time.

"I’m nervous and excited."

It’ all part of what has been an ongoing formula to attract crowds.

And it never fails, said convener Diane Taylor who is always impressed by the fair’s charm, even after a decade of participation.

"We start planning right after the fair is finished," she said.

"We look for feedback about what worked, and what didn’t."

Taylor is assigned to the junior section, where there are more than 250 categories for children between three and 16.

They consist of everything from vegetable growing to sewing.

"It’s the joy of seeing the kids’ work displayed. They’re amazing," she said.

If Taylor had it her way, they’d all win prizes.

Convener Marilyn Loveless, who works with Taylor, agreed that working at the fair has become a tradition for many volunteers.

"Every Labour Day weekend is like a family reunion – extended family that is."


Reproduced with permission from the Times Colonist (Victoria)
© Copyright 2004 Times Colonist (Victoria)