NOVEMBER 2017 • COUNTRY LIFE IN BC


39 Keremeos fair has ambitious plans for the future


Time-honoured traditions get makeover, infusion of fresh ideas for a new generation family who had an orchard in Summerland and an orchard and fruit stand in Keremeos. A certified chartered accountant, she worked for 30 years in the Lower Mainland before returning to her hometown. “Agriculture was the basis of our community and continues to be the major economic driver,”


by SUSAN MCIVER


KEREMEOS – A four-year- old fair in Keremeos has plans for growth while Summerland could find a replacement for its former fall fair as


Country Ways


communities across the Okanagan-Similkameen rally to celebrate farming and rural life.


The fourth annual Heritage


Fall Fair was held September 24 at the Grist Mill and Gardens in Keremeos. The name of the fair


reflects its location at the provincial historic site, which features Western Canada’s only working waterwheel- powered flour mill, heritage buildings and plantings of traditional varieties of wheat, apples and vegetables. “We had almost 800 visitors to the fair – it gets bigger every year,” says mill general manager Chris Mathieson. This year there were over a


dozen vendors and 200 entries of baking, floral arrangements and arts and crafts plus live entertainment and food prepared by the Grist Mill and Garden Foundation. There was also a large


display of heritage farm equipment. When Mathieson assumed his duties in 2013, he brought with him the idea of a fair based on his experiences at the rodeos and fairs in Cloverdale and Barriere. Mathieson depends on the assistance of 15 paid staff, mainly students, and about a dozen volunteer foundation members to organize the fair. Fair expenses are covered


by adding $3 to the regular $7 admission fee to the Grist Mill. “We don’t belong to the BC


Association of Agricultural Fairs because we’re short on categories. However, we’re still building relationships in the community, so I hope to remedy that in the near future,” says Mathieson.


Summerland revival


Started in 1909, the Summerland Fall Fair existed until 2015 when the hos association dissolved due to financial uncertainties and a shortage of board members. Margaret Holler is no stranger to community involvement, Holler is starting from scratch to establish a totally new fair.


Holler was raised in a


she says. While retaining the traditional aspects of a fair, Holler envisions broadening the scope of the new fair to include the more recent developments in local agriculture such as wineries, and spinoff businesses. “It’s to be a celebration of


agriculture in Summerland – a fall fair and more,” she explains.


Lots of ideas


Holler is brimming with ideas – her own and those garnered from community members – which run the gamut from a parade, a pig roast and tips on wine tasting to better ways to display produce and preserves and information on the latest advances at the Summerland Research and Development Centre.


She wants children to have the opportunity to learn about food plants and farm equipment and tools, and to show their animals – rabbits and chickens and perhaps a sheep or calf. “We shouldn’t forget the


kids,” she says. Organization of the fair will come into sharper focus at


Vintage farm equipment was featured at the Heritage Fall Fair held in September at the Grist Mill in Keremeos. David Morgenstern, above, oils a stationary engine used to operate a variety of equipment, including grinders. SUSAN MCIVER PHOTO


the first meeting of interested people in late October. Holler would like to see a collaborative model for the governing body with broad representation. “That way there are more people with more commitment involved,” she says.


She is currently applying to agencies for funds to start the fair in fall 2018. In keeping with her prudent farmer-accountant nature, Holler says, “I want to start small, establish a solid foundation and grow from there.”


The idea has the backing of Summerland resident Robin Wyndham. “I have fond memories of attending the fall fair as a


child and as a mother taking my own children,” Wyndham says. “It would be great to be able to have a fair to take my grandchildren to.”


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