Agassiz Harrison Observer Thursday, September 15, 2016 9

THE AGASSIZ-HARRISON OBSERVER PRESENTS A READER’S GUIDE TO THE

2016

AGASSIZ FALL FAIR & CORN FESTIVAL

TAKE THIS WITH YOU TO THE FAIR!

SEPTEMBER 16 & 17

YEAR OF THE PUMPKIN Mayor Van Laerhoven, Council and Staff of the District of Kent extend their best wishes to the

Agassiz Agriculture & Horticulture Association for a successful

2016 Fall Fair & Corn Festival.

The Corporation of the District of Kent

7778143

10 Agassiz Harrison Observer Thursday, September 15, 2016

Y E AR OF THE

D

PUMPKIN

112TH AGASSIZ FALL FAIR AND 68TH CORN FESTIVAL

Fall fair celebrates family and farming

uring the upcoming Fall Fair and Corn Festival, attendees get to experience the feels of an old-time fair, welcome the autumn season, and re-discover the tastes and culture of farming and agriculture. With returning favourites like the 4H shows, antique tractor pulls, and parade community members of all ages can enjoy the company

of family and friends during the weekend-event – or what fair organizer Rita Bruneski calls "the homecoming." "Lots of people come to the fair to connect with family and friends that they have not seen for some time,” she said. "There are class reunions held each year at the fair.” And while learning a bit more about country-living,

LIONS FALL FAIR BINGO

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Friday 5 to 9

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Saturday 1 to 5

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AT AGASSIZ FAIR GROUNDS

FUNDRAISER TO SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY EFFORTS

attendees can listen to the sounds of local singer Adam Briscoe and Funk Romance and Orion on Friday, followed by Essence of Elvis – a tribute to Elvis by Jeff Bodner on Saturday evening. In addition to perennial favourites – like the crowning of Corn King and Queen – this year’s fair will include a few new familyfriendly events, Bruneski added. The Rotary Club of Chilliwack will be organizing a small train, giving rides to and from the fairgrounds, she continued. Similarly, the celebrity milking contest is back after a year hiatus – with celebrity milkers including District of Kent Mayor John Van Laerhoven and Harrison Hot Springs Mayor Leo Facio, as well as a few surprise guests. As well, to commemorate the year of the pumpkin – this year’s theme – a competition for the biggest pumpkin will take place on the event stage Saturday

A proud supporter of the

AGASSIZ FALL FAIR & CORN FESTIVAL See you there!

afternoon. In the Spring, Allenby's Farm Store Ltd. donated pumpkin seeds to residents, for them to plant in their own backyards.  This weekend, the local store will be giving away a $100 grand prize to the grower responsible for the biggest pumpkin – the biggest cash reward in fair history for a contest like this, said Victoria Brookes, president of the Agassiz Agricultural and Horticultural Association. "Even the prize for the smallest [pumpkin] will be ten dollars,” she continued.

Something old, something new With the fair remaining one of Agassiz’s oldest, continuous traditions, and the corn festival celebrating its 68th year, it’s safe to say a lot is going right for festival organizers year after year. Brookes said the key to successful fair is to feature some of the “old” events and

themes that bring nostalgia to community members, but also offer “new” features to keep the people returning. She's been volunteering with the organization for 45 years, she explained, with the smiling faces of the attendees always ensuring she returns for another season. And to keep the kids smiling, a Kids Zone with facepainting, pony rides, and a bouncy castle will be running throughout the day on Saturday. New this year –

also directed at the youngsters, “we will have a rubber duck hand water pump contest for the kids,” Brookes continued, as a dedication of all the volunteers. Overall, as event organizers and volunteers work hard behind the scenes to make the fair possible for a 112th year, Brookes can’t think of a better way to say goodbye to summer, and hello to a new season. "It starts the fall off right,” she concluded.

Harrison Agassiz

Chamber of Commerce The Voice of Business for Harrison Hot Springs The District of Kent and surrounding area

Providing a united voice in matters relating to business and networking opportunities among businesses, as well as benefits such as:

• Free basic listing on the Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Harrison web sites • Discounts on advertising in the Harrison Visitors Guide and the Agassiz Harrison Observer • Chamber of Commerce Group Insurance Plan • Low merchant Visa, Mastercard and Interact rates • Staples Advantage program

For info on becoming a member

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604-796-2228

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Agassiz Harrison Harrison Observer Observer Thursday, September 15, 2016 11 11 Agassiz

112TH AGASSIZ FALL FAIR AND 68TH CORN FESTIVAL

PUMPKIN Y E AR OF THE

Finding creativity in the year of the pumpkin E

ach new season, members of the Agassiz Agricultural and Horticultural Association hand-pick a crop or flower, which sets the theme for the upcoming Fall Fair. This theme allows the association to showcase different kinds of agriculturalists and educate fair attendees on farming. And as farmers remain hopeful for a gracious fall season bringing bountiful crops, the upcoming fall fair is celebrating all things pumpkin.  “Each year we have an agriculture theme to celebrate various aspects of agriculture and educate the public,” explained Victoria Brookes, president of the Agassiz Agricultural and Horticultural Association. And organizers hope that fair attendees are excited to see how creative community members are with this year’s theme. Pumpkins will be infused into different aspects of the upcoming fair, including a pumpkin growing contest, sponsored by Allenby’s Farm Store.  Based on weight, the resident

responsible for growing the biggest pumpkin will be walking away with a $100 grand prize. According to the Guinness World Records, the heaviest pumpkin was grown in 2012 out of Massachusetts, and weighed more than 2,000 pounds. Although the pumpkins up

for first place this weekend may not necessarily break the scale, every grower will be leaving a winner. “Even the prize for the smallest [pumpkin] will be $10,” Brookes explained. In addition to the weighin, community members will showcase their pumpkins through the junior and senior

categories of: best painted, best decorated, carved pumpkin using hand tools, and carved pumpkin using power tools. “There are also special sections using the pumpkin theme such as quilts, pumpkin baking, using a pumpkin as a vase for a flower arrangement and, of course, a pumpkin carving contest,” Brookes said.

SEE YOU AT THE FAIR! Laurie Throness

MLA Chilliwack-Hope Laurie.Throness.MLA @ leg.bc.ca Chilliwack Office: 604-858-5299 Hope Office: 604-860-2113

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Congratulations to the Agassiz Agricultural & Horticultural Association

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AGASSIZ FALL FAIR EVENT SCHEDULE Master of Ceremonies - Sylvia Pranger Delicious hot buttered corn on the cob • Hamburgers • Hot dogs • BBQ chicken • Beverages FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 4:00 p.m.

Agricultural Hall opens’ til 9 p.m. ($2.50 admission age 12 & over)

11:00 a.m. “O CANADA” sung by Jeff Bodner OFFICIAL OPENING and WELCOME ADDRESS

Midway Opens 5:00 p.m.

Bingo by AH Lions Club

Introduction of Platform Guests (Outdoor Stage)

6:00 p.m.

Beer Garden

Story Time at the Fair (Kid Zone)

Friday Stage Entertainment Sponsored by Mertin Auto Group

4H Calf placings (Cattle Show Ring) Sponsored by Meinen Brothers Agri Services Inc.

“Acoustic pop/rock/ music by Adam Briscope” (Outdoor Stage)

8:00 p.m. 9:00 p.m.

“Music by “Funk Romance and Orion” (Outdoor Stage)

All Stage Entertainment sponsored by Prospera Credit Union

12 Noon

9:30 a.m.

4H Horse Show - Showmanship, English Pleasure until mid afternoon (Horse Ring)

10:00 a.m.

PARADE MOVES OFF led by colour parties of Royal Canadian Legion

4H Poultry judging

“The Rose Ribbonstar Show” Kids Zone (Diamond #2) Sponsored by RIMEX 2:30 p.m.

Lawn Mower Races - finals Logging Demo Friesian Horse Show (Horse Ring)

3:00 p.m.

Afternoon Tea in the Lion’s Den (Agricultural Hall) “Magic of the Mind” Comedy Hypnosis by Lee Dyson (Outdoor Stage) Logging demo “Essence of Elvis” Tribute to Elvis by Jeff Bodner (Outdoor Stage)

Donkey Show (Outside Show Ring)

7:00 p.m.

Beer Garden Music by “Leaded”

“Essence of Elvis” Tribute to Elvis by Jeff Bodner (Outdoor Stage)

7:30 p.m.

Auction of exhibits from Hall display (Agricultural Hall)

Beer Garden Opens

12:30 p.m. Antique Tractor Pull sponsored by Star 98.3 & Country 107.1 “The Rosie Ribbonstar Show” Kids Zone (Diamond #2) sponsored by RIMEX Friesian Horse Show (Horse Riding) 12:45 p.m. Corn Husking (Outdoor Stage) Corn donated by Sparkes Corn Barn 1:00 p.m.

PUMPKIN Y E AR OF THE

MIDWAY OPENS (until 8 p.m.) “Heaviest Pumpkin Weigh-In” sponsored by Allenby’s 4H Horse Show - Western Pleasure, Western Equitation(Horse Ring)

4H Dog Show

Llama Show Halter & Showmanship (Outside Ring)

Kids Zone - pony rides, mini golf, bouncy castle, until 5 p.m. sponsored by RIMEX

Donkey Show - Costume (Riding Area)

5:15 p.m.

4H Dairy Showmanship, Jr. & Sr. (Outside Ring) Sponsored by West Coast Robotics

10:30 a.m. Agricultural Hall Opens

Celebrity Goat Milking contest (Outdoor Stage) Courtesy of Agassiz Goat Dairy)

4:00 p.m.

4H Cavy judging

Parade forms up for judging on Cheam ave. in front of High School (Marshal - Ted Westlin)

Free Shuttle from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Leaves from Agassiz Christian Reformed Church parking lot (7452 Morrow Rd.), then to St. Anthony’s Catholic Church parking lot (7237 Morrow Rd.), then to Agassiz United Church parking lot(6860 Lougheed Hwy.) then to the Fair!

2:00 p.m.

Harrison Highlanders Pipe Band (Outdoor Stage)

4H Rabbit judging (Pavilion) 9:00 a.m.

Pie Eating Competition (Outdoor Stage) Sponsored by Cabin Fever Junction Pie Co and BC Blueberry Council

11:30 a.m. Lawnmower Races - qualifying

Fireworks Sponsored by ELITE FIREWORKS, Timbro Contracting and local dairy, poultry farmers

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 8:30 a.m.

11:15 a.m. CROWNING OF CORN KING/ QUEEN (Outdoor Stage)

1:15 p.m.

4H Sheep judging (Outside Ring) Logging demo Bingo by AH Lions Club

a g a s s i z f a l l f a i r. c o m

Friday Admission No charge to enter grounds Exhibit hall entrance 12 & over $2.50 Saturday Admission $6 adult advance tickets ($9 at the gate) $4 Children age 6-11 Children 5 & under are FREE Ride tickets are additional Advanced passes available at participating local businesses FREE Parking

Agassiz Harrison Harrison Observer Observer Thursday, September 15, 2016 13 13 Agassiz

112TH AGASSIZ FALL FAIR AND 68TH CORN FESTIVAL

PUMPKIN Y E AR OF THE

Mayor John Van Laerhoven brings Agassiz’s welcome

W

Greetings from Mayor Leo Facio

It

is with great pleasure that I offer my warm greetings on behalf of the Village of Harrison Hot Springs to all dignitaries, guests, performers, participants and attendants for this year’s Agassiz Fall Fair and Corn Festival while they celebrate the “Year of Pumpkin”. This special event is well worthy of attendance as it celebrates the district’s ongoing protection of its agricultural community, horticulture and farming interests. Come join the fun and enjoy the festivities!!”

The fair remains one of Agassiz’s oldest, continuous traditions, and the corn festival is celebrating its 68th year.

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is technically classified as a fruit because of its internal seeds!) robust heartiness is exactly the same gumption our fair’s dedicated volunteers and corporate partners display putting this annual event together. Council would like to recognize all the great effort that is contributed each year to ensure that when it comes to town fairs, our Fall Fair and Corn Festival is as gourd as it gets!

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Entrance to the hall after 7:30pm | $10.00

AGASSIZ LEGION BRANCH 32 Saturday September 17th

elcome friends and family to the 112th Fall Fair and 68th Corn Festival. This year we celebrate the pumpkin in honour of our agricultural roots. Did you know that pumpkin pie dates back to the colonial period? Colonists filled the pumpkin with milk, spices and honey and baked it over hot ashes. Luckily, times and recipes have changed! To learn more about the pumpkin or other areas of agriculture, check out any number of booths displayed in the Agricultural Hall. It will be bursting with exhibits such as homemade baking and handicraft items. You will be able to tour the giant pumpkin contest, check out the midway entertainment and enjoy some live music. Did you also know that Antarctica is the only continent on which pumpkins won’t grow? This fruit’s (yes, pumpkin

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14 Agassiz Agassiz Harrison Harrison Observer Observer Thursday, September 15, 2016

PUMPKIN Y E AR OF THE

112TH AGASSIZ FALL FAIR AND 68TH CORN FESTIVAL

Getting to and from the fair

PARADE ROUTE

B

ack again for another year, Prospera Credit Union is providing shuttle services from the parking grounds to the fairgrounds and back. On Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., the shuttle will run in a loop, from Agassiz Christian Reformed Church to the fair, also stopping at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church and Agassiz United Church. The parking at each church is also being provided free of charge from each of the local churches. Agassiz Christian Reformed Church is located at 7452 Morrow Road; St. Anthony’s Catholic Church is located 7237 Morrow Road; and Agassiz United Church is located at 6860 Lougheed Highway.

E

All kind of animals, and youth leadership highlighted at 4H

ach year, the Fall Fair showcases livestock from cows to dogs to rabbits – and more importantly, highlights the work of dozens of youth who have trained these animals through the 4H club. 4H leader Ken Schwaerztle said the fair has seen a steady increase in club member turnout, with more groups involved in the fair then ever before. There used to be for four or five groups, he said, and now there are 10 different groups. Similarly, an increase in groups has brought more variety to what animals are showcased. Schwaerztle said there weren’t many poultry shows, or dog or rabbit clubs in the past; and earlier fairs used to include a larger participation in beef, sheep, and rather large dairy shows. As these new clubs pop up, the relationship between animal and owner has proven to be different for each kind of animal involved. For example, in the dog and horse clubs a 4H-er

will use the same animal over a number of years, Schwaerztle said. Yet swine, beef, and dairy cows are usually a oneyear commitment – a tradition of 4H-clubs. In turn, Schwaerztle said these clubs don’t only teach kids about working with animals, but also with eachother. “4H is more than showing an animal at the fair,” he said. “4H involves members learning to work with other 4H members, and how for them to run a meeting, and how they can excel in [public speaking], or judging demonstrations.” Although most pigs have already been sold this season, three swines will be on display this weekend, Schwaerztle explained. There will also be opportunity for attendees to view an animal carcass. This year’s 4H shows will take place on Saturday, throughout the day. For information on the schedule, see page 12.

Each year, to start Saturday’s fair off with a bang, floats made by families, businesses, and organizations are paraded through Agassiz. • WHERE: The parade route starts on Cheam Avenue, and heads west, before turning right onto Pioneer Avenue. The parade ends in the fairgrounds, at 6800 Pioneer Avenue. • WHEN: Parade starts at 10 a.m. sharp. • For more details visit: AgassizFallFair.com

ENJOY THE FAIR!

Enjoy the Fall Fair!

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Agassiz Harrison Observer Thursday, September 15, 2016 15

112TH AGASSIZ FALL FAIR AND 68TH CORN FESTIVAL

Y E AR OF THE

PUMPKIN

Pu m p k i n P i e C i n n am o n R o l l s - S u bm i t t e d by S a l l y My rde n Instructions:

Ingredients:

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ONGR S a l l y ATULATION Myrd S en! W I 4 g NNER ate p

of

Agass asses to the iz Fall Fair

Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting

Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting

Traditional Pumpkin Pie - Submitted by Anne Jeyachandran Ingredients:

Pumpkin Curry Soup - Submitted by Carol Van Tol Ingredients:

2 1/2

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Best Wishes to the

AGASSIZ FALL FAIR & CORN FESTIVAL Fri., Sept. 16 & Sat., Sept. 17, 2016

To all those organizing and attending, I wish you a truly great weekend celebrating the Year of the Pumpkin. Congratulations to the Agassiz Agricultural and Horticultural Association for organizing another outstanding event!

Jati Sidhu Member of Parliament Mission-Matsqui-Fraser Canyon 604-814-5710 | jati.sidhu@parl.gc.ca | @JatiSidhuMP 1-866-599-4999 | facebook.com/jatisidhuMP

16 Agassiz Harrison Observer Thursday, September 15, 2016 16 Agassiz Harrison Observer

112

FALL FAIR TH AGASSIZ TH

PUMPKIN Y E AR OF THE

& 68 CORN FESTIVAL

See you at the fair The 112th Fall Fair and 68th Corn Festival promises a community celebration of the old and the new. From pumpkin growing contests, to corn husking and antique tractors, the event offers a weekend of family fun and community connection. For a full schedule of this year's events, see page 12.

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