The South Cariboo Community Fall Fair saw a steady stream of traffic during the weekend with close to 4,000 visitors passing through the gate.
That number was near normal, but exhibit entries were down by 25 per cent. Organizers are pointing at unseasonable summer weather and an earlier than usual fair date as the culprits.
The fair, hosted by Canlan Ice Sports at the South Cariboo Rec. Centre, ran Sept. 7-9, which is a week earlier than some years and exhibit chairperson M-J Cousins says she thinks it may have caught people off guard.
"It's always the weekend after the long weekend, but this year the long weekend was very early."
The curling rink seemed bare with only 530 exhibit entries from 130 people, and down from last year's total of 716 entries from 150 people. The most noticeable hole was in the floral and produce section, and Cousins blames the weather and a frost one week before the fair.
"It seemed to impact the flowers. It wasn't a good year for gardeners, but the handicraft area was strong."
Two of the main contests, which have always been popular in the past, the Best Dressed Zucchini and Cariboo Fall Arrangement Outdoor Container contests had no entries.
The Scarecrow contest saw three entries, with first place being awarded to Fischer Place for its big blue kimono-clad submission.
Cousins says results will not be tabulated this year for aggregate winners in adult exhibit entry competition, but winners were named in children's categories.
Lars Mapson won overall in the three-five years category and Megan Holyk was the winner in the six-eight year division. The nine-12 years win went to Julia Mosher and her sister, Mikayla Mosher, won the 13-16 years division.
"There were some really interesting entries this year,” says Cousins.
“What's satisfying is that I've seen kids grow from toddlers to older kids and are still contributing."
The quilting section had 37 entries, which was also down from the usual, says section co-ordinator Gloria Koens.
The Paper Bag Mystery Quilts made by members of the Cariboo Calico Quilters drew a lot of attention. Members of the club were given a couple of random quilt blocks with which they had to add to and create an eye-pleasing quilt.
Very popular with the visiting public this year were the various presentations and demos featured in the curling rink. Garlic Festival cooking queen Gina Myhill-Jones prepared several garlic dishes and offered samples to her audience
Don Basserman talked about urban farming and food sustainability and Sherry Stewart shared the many uses of the wonder-vegetable of the hour, kale. Rod Hennecker showed people how to put their crab apples to use.
All of the recipes demonstrated at the fair will soon be posted on the South Cariboo Agri-Culture Enterprise Centre website at www.cariboo-agcentre.
Outside, there was also plenty to do. The Knights of Columbus concession filled the air with the wonderful aroma of cooking onions while keeping fair-goers topped up with burgers and hotdogs. Over by the outdoor stage, people could pull up a chair to relax and enjoy an endless stream of entertainers, including the 2012 Cariboo Idols who gave their farewell performances on Sunday.
People always look forward to the trade show which takes place in the South arena and this year saw a lot of new businesses. Canlan's Tara Grinyer who is in charge of community programs at the arena says they had vendors from all over, including Vancouver, Horsefly and the recent South Cariboo Garlic Festival.
"We even had lots of people asking if they can have a booth next year."
The Kidzone area, with oversized bouncy toys, was a huge hit and great weather all weekend helped ensure a constant flow of children looking to burn off some energy.
The fall fair horse show ended was cancelled at the last minute due to a low number of entries and Grinyer says that was disappointing.
"We missed it and really hope they'll be back next year."
Planning for the 2013 fair will begin soon she adds and they'll be looking at ways to improve things. For the moment, however, it's time to take a long breath and think about the successes.