The Sundre and District Agricultural Society’s School and Adult Fall Fair is celebrating its milestone centennial anniversary.
“We’re the longest-running school fair in Alberta, and one of the only ones left,” said Adrienne Beck, the organizing committee’s chair.
Among the new categories is a salt lick — which sometimes get randomly sculpted into strange shapes — and a Mason jar decorating competition as well as a colouring contest, she said.
As per tradition, there will of course also be the displays of a wide variety of student work at both of the schools. Throughout the school year, teachers collect the best of the students’ work for the following year’s fair, she said.
Meanwhile, over at the Sundre Curling Rink’s east end, the “quintessential county fair” adult entries — from jams and jellies to baked goods and produce as well as crafts — will be on display, she said.
“We are going to have a living museum at the curling rink’s west end,” she said, explaining that local artisans will be doing demonstrations and that people can come ask questions and perhaps even try their hand at skills such as weaving and spinning.
Also, the Sundre Pioneer Village Museum has made available some old-fashioned games such as sack races and stilts to provide some outdoor activities for children, she said, adding McDougal Chapel is bringing out a bouncy house on the grassy area behind the schools.
The annual pet parade is also returning. This part of the fair was started many years ago by Audrey Irving, a former teacher who wanted to create an opportunity for Grade 1 students to feel more involved since they did not have any work to display in the fair from the year before, said Beck.
“She comes out every year with ribbons and chocolate,” she said, adding this might be Irving’s last year being able to participate but that her legacy will be kept going.
Over at the arena, Todd Dalke plans to put on a couple of movies and prepare some popcorn for kids. Proceeds from this activity will support the Sundre Nutrition for Learning Society. There will also be a concession at the curling rink that will support the 2019 Gulf Island Grade 8 sailing trip, she said.
The scarecrow competition — which is open to groups or individuals of all ages — is also returning, and the public will vote on the best entry, she said.
“We had a good turnout of scarecrows last year; we’re hoping that continues.”
Registration starts at 8 a.m. on Friday, with all of the activities running from 9:30 a.m. until 7 p.m. near the schools, curling rink and arena. Visit www.sundreagsocietyfallfair.weebly.com for more information. The new Sundre Astronomy Club was also hoping to, weather permitting, host a second stargazing session after the fair in the Bergen area. Check the club’s social media page for directions.
