Smoke was very noticeable Aug. 18, perhaps affecting the number of entrants and entries at the 60th Bridge Lake Fair (BLF) but, maybe because last year’s fair was cancelled, “people forgot!” Either way, both were substantially down over 2016, but the exhibition of some 400 entries still looked mouth-wateringly beautiful.
Aug. 19 dawned bright and sunny bringing lots of visitors to both the Fair and its inaugural horse-driving competition at Interlakes Rodeo Grounds.
In all, not including donated prizes, $932 was paid out in prize money, $63 of which was donated back to the Fair.
The Grand Aggregate was won by Celeste Faessler with 81 points. Linda Farthing placed second with 76 points; followed by Jaime Cameron, 43; Leslie Ginther, 36; Sharon Stewart, 34; and Elaine Kisby, 31. Those who entered at least four items and scored over 85 per cent comprised: Ashlee Pasanen, 95 per cent; Dallas Schroevers, 94 per cent; Gauge Bishop, 90.5 per cent; Arlene Henzel, 90 per cent; and Kathleen Schroevers, 87 per cent.
The Granny Larson Memorial Trophy for Best of Show quilt went to Faessler’s Class 9 lap quilt.
The Art Grange Memorial Trophy, donated by Patricia Spencer for Best Collection of Garden Vegetables, was won by Lydia deGroot.
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Sue Perry took the Rhu Castle Cup for Best of Show wine, with her U-Brew- assisted dry white wine.
Farthing, with 22 points, won the Aunt Norma Memorial Hi-Point Preserving Trophy donated by the Kisby Family.
The Students’ Hi-Point Trophy, donated by the Interlakes Cattlebelles, was won by 11-year-old Ashlee Pasanen.
Four Container Contest entries, requiring plants to be grown in any used child’s toy, saw Faessler’s dinosaur win first prize of a $50 gift certificate from Horse Lake Garden Centre; Gail Larson’s fire engine won $25 from La Petite Diane Furniture Refurbishing; and Elaine Kisby’s wagon won $10 from Danco’s.
Four Fairy Gardens were received, one for ages 8 and under, won by Sophia Schroevers; one for ages 9-11, won by Kathleen Schroevers; both children won $10. The two adult entries saw the $25 prize going to Jordan Van Hecke, but which she very generously donated back!
Both sponsored baking competitions, Robin Hood muffins and Crisco tarts, were won by Farthing, who received $25 product certificates for each.
In the very special Canada 150 People’s Choice Contest, there were five inspiring entries, all of which earned great praise. However, the people chose Cindy Valley’s beautiful wall-hanging depicting a stylized maple leaf and Canada geese, as winner of the $25 prize. Four-year-old Graham Stewart, who also drew a Canada goose, with real feathers, won the children’s prize of $10.
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The celebratory door prize, a Canadian cooler filled with $150 worth of Canadian products, went to Steve James.
The candy jar, which held 83 candies, was won by Leanne Pasanen with exactly the right guess.
As usual, the cuddly animals, old-fashioned races and cakewalks were very well supported by happy children, as was the first-time Bouncy Castle.
Special thanks go to BLF bakers Faessler and Kim Walters who provided cupcakes for non-winners, as well as five beautiful cakes for cakewalk winners. In addition, BLF is most appreciative of Log Cabin Quilters who provided cakes and cookies for the tearoom, with proceeds to BLF.
Delightful “surround sound” was provided all day, courtesy of Paul & Cliff, Tom Fisher and Richard Minato, to whom BLF is most grateful.
Siana Kelly and Joyce McGregor are much appreciated for demonstrating their skills at spinning and Saori weaving.
Kudos also go to Interlakes Volunteer Fire Department for handling the parking, and to Interlakes Cattlebelles and Interlakes Community Centre for catering the concessions.
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The silent auction of donations from generous businesses netted a huge $541 for BLF’s 2019 start-up.
The inaugural Driving Horse Show to “showcase the versatility of horses and ponies, and honour our heritage” was a great success at Interlakes Rodeo Grounds.
Seven big teams, one single horse and two miniature horses came from Barriere, Buffalo Creek, Clinton, Interlakes and McLure to compete.
The many spectators were kept fully informed by judge Murray Ohms and announcer Ian Levick.
The closing live auction of edible entries donated by entrants was held inside the hall this year, netting $423.50, which goes to Roe Lake & District Recreation Commission to thank them for free use of the entire complex for the whole weekend.
Competition results:
Team Log Skid, sponsored by 100 Mile Feed & Ranch
1st Dave Stutt
2nd Tara Brind
3rd Eric Cameron
4th Valaurie Wettstein
5th Jaime Cameron
Single Log Skid- Horse Division, sponsored by Pat Lytton
1st Jaime Cameron
2nd Dave Stutt
3rd Tara Brind
4th Eric Cameron
5th Valaurie Wettstein
Single Log Skid-Pony Division, sponsored by German & Andrea Glatz
1st Cameron Racicot
2nd Brian Lawson
Single Cart, sponsored by Bill & Kim Walters
1st John Reedy
2nd Cameron Racicot
3rd Valaurie Wettstein
4th Jaime Cameron
Team Wagon, sponsored by NAPA Auto Parts
1st Dave Stutt
2nd Tom Jennings
3rd Brad Cameron
4th Tara Brind
5th Jaime Cameron
Daily Chore Race-Team, sponsored by Funky Acres Farm
1st Jaime Cameron
2nd Tara Brind
3rd Brad Cameron
4th Tom Jennings
5th Eric Cameron
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