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Linda Farthing won annual Bridge Lake Fair grand aggregate honours

South Cariboo residents have a great time at the 57th Annual Bridge Lake Fair
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Mandy Lipka

The 57th Annual Bridge Lake Fair (BLF) on Aug. 17 saw 85 entrants and nearly 700 entries, while the gate was a little down over last year.

For the second time, the Grand Aggregate winner was Linda Farthing with 91 points. Linda Kinnear followed with 80 points, then Elaine Kisby (64) and Chris Lance (51.)

Entrants whose minimum of four entries were of particularly high quality included Frank Jerema and seven-year-old Emily Stuart with 100%, Cindy Valley 80%, C.E.E.D.S. 78%, David Carlyle 73%, and Jimmy Kinnear 70%.

The Granny Larson Memorial Trophy went to Cindy Valley of Bridge Lake for her beautiful autumnal Class 4 quilt.

For the second consecutive year and fourth time overall, Frank Jerema’s liqueur won the Rhu Castle Cup for Best of Show Wine donated by the late Clark Connaty.

C.E.E.D.S. won the Art Grange Memorial Trophy donated by Patricia Spencer for Best of Show Collection of Garden Vegetables.

The Aunt Norma Memorial Trophy, donated by the Kisby Family for High-Point Preserving, went to Linda Kinnear’s 21 points, while Linda Farthing scored 19.

This year’s Bridge Lake Fair Roving Trophy was for High-Point Baking, which went to Linda Farthing’s 43 points; Linda Kinnear scored 40.

The Student High-Point Trophy, donated by the Interlakes Cattlebelles, was won by 11-year-old Jimmy Kinnear with 40 points, beating his 2012 win by seven points. Hayley Bishop placed second with 34 points.

In the corporate competitions, Pat Pasanen won first prize for both Robin Hood carrot cake and Crisco butter tarts, both of which had five entries. Arlene Henzel placed second in carrot cake, and Linda Farthing placed second in butter tarts. Mandy Lipka won for best Bernardin jam. In Fleischmann’s yeast best bread, Linda Kinnear placed first of five entries and Linda Farthing second.

There were five container entries in various types of headgear. Elaine Kisby’s most interesting “working” helmet placed first to win a $50 gift certificate from Horse Lake Garden Centre. Arlene Henzel’s helmet of delightfully spreading succulents placed second to win $25 from La Petite Diane Antique Restoration, and Donna Jarvis, whose helmet had eyes, won $10 from Danco’s Hoof Trimming.

Prizes paid out, not including sponsored prizes, totalled $1,125.50 of which $36 was donated back to BLF and a further $65 donated to Roe Lake & District Recreation Commission (RLDRC).

In addition to Paul Faessler’s Coffin Dodgers who come every year to play all day, BLF was delighted to welcome Marco Buehler who played for two hours inside the hall, and Richard Minato who played a half-hour spot outside, and jammed with the Coffin Dodgers for much of the day.

Of special interest this year was Cambria Volonte of Fitness 4 You who led visitors in an exciting and healthy Zumba demonstration.

This year, BLF was very pleased to welcome back clown Sharal Johnston who painted many faces; and was equally impressed with “Our Lady of Spain’s” beautiful dancing. Expert Saori weaver Siana Kelly demonstrated all day, and showed many a youngster how easy it is to do.

Children and adults alike had a great time with the cakewalks run by Linda Farthing, and the old-fashioned races under the auspices of Teen Space. Kudos must go to Linda Farthing and Kim Walters who baked four beautiful cakes and dozens of cupcakes for those who did not win a cake.

As usual, Joni Head kindly brought her alpacas, and New-Cal bunnies and babies enthralled the children. Joanne Seabloom of Seabloom Mini Ranch gave her perennial horse and cart driving demonstration and the tiny horses were there to be petted all day.

The door prize of wondrous edibles went to a “so excited” seven-year-old Emily Stuart of Nanaimo.

A delighted Danickah Pasanen won the candy jar for a second time. Three people guessed the correct amount of 84, so a draw was made and Danickah was the lucky one.

Great eats were available from Highway 24/Interlakes Lions concession, as well as delectable goodies from Bridge Lake Community School.

The silent auction of items donated by generous businesses raised $397 to help defray BLF expenses.

The closing auction of donated edible entries and a mystery gift raised $262.50, which goes to RLDRC to thank them for free use of Interlakes Hall and grounds.