Hello Halfmoon Bay/ Xwilkway! After two years, it’s back. The 54th Halfmoon Bay Fair is coming Sunday, July 17, noon to 8 p.m. at Coopers Green.
A lot has changed in Halfmoon Bay since the first Country Fair back in 1966, but one thing is for sure: the fair is always a good time.
My friend and neighbour Mary remembers attending the fair in 1967 when she was five, and entered her bike in the decorating contest and won! She received a shiny Canadian Centennial coin to commemorate. She remembers other kids saying they thought she had help decorating her bike, but Mary wants to say for the record, she did it all herself. Way to go Mary, redemption 55 years later!
I found an original Halfmoon Bay Happenings column from the Coast News in the Sunshine Coast Museum archives written by Ruth Forrester from 1987 about the upcoming 21st Annual Country Fair. Highlights that year were a baking contest sponsored by Robin Hood Flour, a homemade wine-making competition, a teddy bear picnic, and the Halfmoon Bay Volleyball Recreation Cup with a homemade trophy up for grabs. Games for the kids included sack races, tug of war and egg and spoon races. Of course no fair was complete without bingo. Booths of handicrafts and the White Elephant were also popular. The tradition of the Country Fair three-and-one-half-mile run and the pancake breakfast started up the fair as always and the gates opened at 9:45 a.m.
Over the years, the fair grew to two days with the kids’ fishing derby on Saturday. The kids would grab their fishing gear and follow behind the Halfmoon Bay firetruck down Mintie Road, with its lights flashing and sirens blaring to the Halfmoon Bay Government dock and try their hand at catching a fish, then head for ice cream and hot dogs, prizes and bragging rights at the Halfmoon Bay General Store. The salmon BBQ and dance at Coopers Hall on Saturday night was always very popular and had the best live music and sold out quickly.
At this year’s fair, musicians will be playing on the main stage all day, so wear some comfortable dancing shoes. A food court including our local Halfmoon Bay Firefighters Association’s BBQ will be grilling up burgers and hot dogs, and the Libations Lounge will be serving local beers, ciders and and cocktails too. Almost 40 merchants and community groups will on hand in the marketplace, strolling performers will be meandering among the crowd, and kids and adult fun zones will be set up for all to enjoy, and yes bingo is back with Dan Sklazeski. A shuttle bus will be running between the Welcome Woods area and Coopers Green (route to be detirmined) so leave the car at home. A big shout out to all the sponsors, volunteers, and community members helping to make this event possible. Bring the family, and hang out with the neighbours, and enjoy our amazing community we live in.
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Enjoy your week, wear sunscreen, and be a nice human. See you at the fair!
