Fairs are a treasure trove of memories waiting to be made and the Cobble Hill Fair has been making them for 115 years — and will continue to do so on Aug. 24.
"It is always a terrific feeling to celebrate another fair," said organizer Gerry Giles. "When you ask me, how does it feel to be celebrating the 115th Cobble Hill Fair, for me it feels both terrific and a privilege. Some of the people I’ve worked with in the past are no longer here, but I always remember their hard work, their laughter and the joy they brought to me at fair time. My time with the Cobble Hill Fair stretches back to the 70th Cobble Hill Fair. Each Fair is very unique and special, each is interesting and has its own memories that are more about the people you meet along the way than about the displays and the animals."
That being said Giles said some displays are so interesting that they stay in your mind for a very long time, especially the needlework, as they can be very creative and exceptionally beautiful. Giles noted that a fond memory for so many is the outstanding Holstein cows that both Bill Wikkerink and Nellie Poelman have repeatedly brought to the fair over the years as well as Balme Farm who have also brought some of there terrific Ayrshire cows for display and competition.
"These do not take away from the rest of the animal and poultry shows over the years because there have been many brilliant displays for viewing, but for me it has always been more about the people," said Giles. "I’ve been privileged to work with some pretty fantastic people over the past 50 years and this year is no different. If you want to know and to celebrate your community, come out and enjoy the Cobble Hill Fair and all it has to offer."
The old-fashioned fair, which the Cobble Hill Farmer's Institute first began putting on in 1909, is now ahead by a century and will certainly have something for everyone starting with the beloved poultry show returning and some horsing around.
"Both Open and 4-H will combine to make a great show after an absence of several years due to the avian flu," said Giles. "Also, the mini horses will be showing in the Herb Doman Horse Ring. I am really looking forward to seeing the mini horses in the Herb Doman Field, it has been a few years since they have been at the fair so it will be so nice to see them back."
Live entertainment in the Cobble Hill Common will feature 90-minute shows with a stellar line-up including Copper Canyon, Spring Fever, Pony Club and Montgomery County. Little ones can discover the magic of Donald Dunphy in the Kids Zone equipped by Inspired by Play. Regular attendees can once again count on their magical mixture of vintage machinery, kids activities, plus a plethora of local vendors in the Vendor Village. For even more fun and games the Kerry Park Islanders will have their hockey rink set up on site for those wanting to try their hand at Welly Wanging.
"The fair is also a reflection of another important aspect of our community — involvement," said Giles. "We are a community that prides itself on the many volunteers that help across the South Cowichan region. It takes so many volunteers to stage the fair and we are thankful for each and every one of them."
Giles noted that fair attendees wanting to have a hall of a time will not want to miss out on seeing all the amazing displays inside the Cobble Hill Hall, the Youth Hall and the Stu Armour Hall.
"Each Hall is full of different exhibits for you to see and enjoy," said Giles. "The Cobble Hill Hall holds domestic science, needlework, quilts, flowers, vegetables and fruit, eggs, woodworking and honey with beer and wine in the basement. The Youth Hall holds photography along with hobbies and handicrafts and the Stu Armour Hall holds all of 4-H along with the Spinners and Weavers."
Giles said out of the 40-plus years she has been involved with the Cobble Hill Fair, one of her favourite parts is watching the team of volunteers tackling individual tasks, then working over the span of several months to come together as a team with an overall vision for what the day of the fair should look like.
"It is always fun and amazing to see a group of 15 to 20 or more individuals working together to build something like the Cobble Hill Fair. While the basic components are there from the start, the structure changes every year," said Giles. "Each person brings new ideas and it is up to that person to work through the idea stage to implementation to see whether or not it will work and how it will fit within the overall structure. Sometimes it can be implemented in the first year, but sometimes it takes longer. However, change is always happening. When I look back to the 70th and 75th fairs, I certainly see how far we have come."
Giles noted that the Cobble Hill Fair is the last of the one-day fairs on Vancouver Island, and they are in the midst of determining whether to stay true to what they have always been, or if they should expand to a two-day event, and welcome the community's input. This year's fair falls on a Saturday and will run from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
"My hope is those attending the fair will take away what a great place the South Cowichan community is to live, work and raise a family," said Giles. "Our roots are found in both agriculture and forestry. Our fair celebrates the agricultural base of that history and that base was built on the families who settled in the area to farm. We want to 'celebrate our past, while cultivating our future'. Planning and preparation for the fair involves looking carefully at all aspects of it from entertainment to the many catalogue entries. The fair committee is comprised of a dedicated group of knowledgeable people who review and prepare a better version of the fair each year."
"We want to give people the opportunity to share their skills, knowledge and talents through the exhibits for the arts, gardening, domestic sciences, produce, and even poetry, wine, photography to hobbies and crafts," said Giles. "We do this so people who attend the fair can view the best that South Cowichan has to offer as well as enjoy a day of good entertainment and fellowship while meeting friends and neighbours both old and new — it's about celebrating community and the people who live within it."
