Area E has just a handful of unmissable annual events. One such event is a weekend at the Fall Fair at Quality Garden & Pet on Pratt Road, landing this year on Oct. 8 and 9. I remember attending as a teenager, and it’s nice to pass along festivals like this, which bring the residents of Elphinstone, and the entire Coast, together.
The annual Fall Fair at Quality started years ago when a group of Coasters went to Minter Gardens in Chilliwack to see the Thanksgiving Fair they used to put on. Jackie Scott and her friends pondered the pandora’s box of questions that I, too, often ask myself, “I wonder if we could bring something fun like this back to the Sunshine Coast?” Their intentions were pure, with community gathering being the centrepiece. All proceeds raised always go to a variety of important local charities around the Coast. How wholesomely cool is that?
“It’s very social” said Jackie, when I asked what she loves about this event. “It’s a laid back way to chat and visit with people in the neighbourhood that I never get to see otherwise.”
Prepare your thanksgiving pants for tons of tasty treats, with food trucks on site, a local coffee shop at the ready, and the Hospital Auxiliary usually bringing baked goodies and a marvellous raffle. Did somebody say punch and pie? Pies are reliably plentiful at this fair.
Other reason you may want to attend:
• There are exclusive vendors that only come out once a year to show off their wares at this annual fall festival. I don’t know who needs to hear this, but perhaps THIS is your year to shop early for Christmas?
• There is always a badass children’s crafting table with lots of fun distractions geared towards the kiddos (they’re not reading this, right?).
• Free entry, ample parking, and rain or shine they’ve got a beautiful greenhouse wonderland for you to explore amongst lush autumn greenery.
Bring down your eye-popping veggies for contest categories such as Largest Pumpkin, Best Dressed Veg, Best Scarecrow, and Strangest Looking Home Grown Vegetable… woe be to the poor, homely veggie that wins that one. The fabulous staff at Quality traditionally get to cast their votes in these contests, so it’s a good idea to start buttering up the staff there immediately.
Darren Wheeler, who works to orchestrate the vendors, live music, and social media says he does this “because I really enjoy working with the returning vendors, and connecting with new vendors; it’s a lot of community building.”
They are still booking musicians and vendors, so if you are interested in being part of an Area E tradition, or want to know more, just email [email protected] for details. They have a facebook page too.
I love hearing feedback, taking topic suggestions, and hearing from our local Elphinstoners. Email me at [email protected].
