Sure, music is on the agenda, but the Jammin’ theme for this year’s Saanich Fair is about the kind of jam that comes from fruit, not guitars.
The agricultural fair, a Labour Day long weekend tradition, returns to the Saanich Fairgrounds from Saturday to Monday for its 155th edition, with a focus on preserved foods — from pickles to jams and jellies.
The event, the oldest continuous agricultural fair west of the Great Lakes, got its start in 1868 when 10 farmers got together to show off the fruits of their labour. The first fair was held on Robert Brown’s property — across the road from where the fair is located today. Each of the original group would open their fields to host the event in subsequent years.
This year the fair, hosted by the North and South Saanich Agricultural Society, expects to welcome between 40,000 to 50,000 people over three days, with food, more than 4,000 exhibits, animals on display and numerous midway rides.
This year’s edition will include even more for kids, said Jenna Saunders, chairwoman of the fair, with extra children’s rides at the west end of the fairgrounds, a bouncy castle, carousel, adventure games and Ponies and Pipsqueaks pony programs for those age three and up.
The fair showcases North Saanich’s deep agricultural roots, with some of the farmers at the fair still working the land after seven generations.
Farm animals on display in barns and stalls range from horses to cows, goats, sheep, chickens, ducks, alpacas and pigs. Young members of 4-H club will be on hand to show off their animal husbandry skills.
After hosting “half a fair” and 30,000 visitors in 2021, the fair bounced back to pre-pandemic numbers last year, with attendance topping 48,000.
Organizing the fair falls on the shoulders of the society’s 11 board members, five full-time staff, some part-time staff and about 150 volunteers.
“Many of the volunteers are members of the society who generously give their time to help,” said Saunders.
Some serve as judges, giving out ribbons that end up festooning cages, gates, plates or pens, indicating the winners of various competitions.
The fee to enter any of the competitions ranges from 50 cents for juniors competing in categories such as art, penmanship, crafts, sewing or baking — the same amount as when the gates opened 155 years ago — to $2 for farmers showing off the fruits of their labour.
Visitors can watch demonstrations of dog agility or sheep shearing, take in midway rides, shop among the vendors or dine at the many concessions.
There will be two concerts — country music signer Aaron Pritchett performs on Saturday and rock band Prism performs on Sunday. Both concerts start at 8 p.m. The concerts are free with paid admission to the fair.
Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and youth (seven to 13 years old) and free for children six and under.
The fair is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday at the fairgrounds, 1528 Stelly’s Cross Rd. in Saanichton. Parking is free.
Those who arrive by bicycle, scooters or other micromobility vehicle can access The Locker, a free valet service hosted by Capital Bike.
No dogs allowed. For more information, go to saanichfair.ca.
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