The number of entrants and entries were both a little down at the 58th Annual Bridge Lake Fair on Aug. 16, but well over 500 visitors had a great time.
The Grand Aggregate Trophy winner was Mandy Lipka with 89 points, while Celeste Faessler was close behind at 82.
Entrants whose minimum of four entries were of particularly high quality included 11-year-old Ashlee Arthurs with 97 per cent, four-year-old Alex Swope (95 per cent), Frank Jerema (87 per cent), Cindy Valley (83 per cent), C. Faessler (76 per cent) and Arlene Henzel (75 per cent).
The Granny Larson Memorial Trophy for Best of Show Quilt went to Mieke McIntosh’s stunning, The Rhu Castle Cup for Best of Show Wine, donated by the late Clark Connaty, was awarded to C. Faessler’s U-brew assisted dry, red wine.
Not for the first time, Pat Pasanen won the Art Grange Memorial Trophy, donated by Patricia Spencer, for Best of Show Collection of Garden Vegetables.
The Hi-Point Preserving Trophy, donated by the Kisby Family, went to Lipka with a total of 20 points, while Sharon Stewart earned 16 points.
This year’s Bridge Lake Fair Roving Trophy was for Best of Show Fine Arts & Hobbies. The judge had great difficulty deciding between Gordon Smith’s beautiful birdhouse, and Jim Wishart’s intricate “Gears,” but finally awarded the trophy to Wishart.
The Student Hi-Point Trophy, donated by the Interlakes Cattlebelles, was won by eight-year-old Ashlee Arthurs with 32 points and 97 per cent, while Danickah Pasanen placed second with 32 points and 67 per cent.
No corporate competitions were held this year. Instead, the fair provided a cake decorating prize of $25 to each of three age groups.
D. Pasanen won the 9-11 age group; C. Faessler’s stunning piano was deemed best of four entries in the adults’ class; and there were no entries in the 12-14 age group.
For the third time, D. Pasanen won the candy jar guess with a spot-on guess of 67.
There were three intriguing floral container contest entries in old tackle or tool boxes.
First place and a $50 gift certificate from Horse Lake Garden Centre went to Laurie Bishop.
Elaine Kisby won $25 from La Petite Diane Antique Restoration.
Henzel won $10 from Danco’s Hoof Trimming.
Prizes paid out totalled $1,023 of which $27 was donated back to Bridge Lake Fair and a further $12 donated to Roe Lake & District Recreation Commission.
In addition to Paul Faessler’s Coffin Dodgers who always play all day, the Bridge Lake Fair was delighted to welcome Richard Minato who played two hours of golden oldies inside the hall, and Jason Ruscheinsky who entertained outside for more than an hour. The Tai Chi Club also gave a demonstration.
Organizers were delighted to receive an unexpected visit from Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo MP Cathy McLeod and her husband.
The Bridge Lake air happily welcomed back “Our Lady of Spain’s” beautiful dancing, and expert Saori weaver Siana Kelly who demonstrated all day and instructed many youngsters.
Children and adults alike had a ball with the cakewalks run by Linda Farthing, and the old-fashioned races under the auspices of Teen Space. Kudos must go to Farthing and Kim Walters who baked four beautiful cakes, and dozens of cupcakes for those who did not win a cake.
Alpaca Story Ranch’s Joni Head was on hand with a beautiful grey alpaca and two-week-old black baby; New-Cal Rabbit Farm encouraged the children to pet the bunnies; and Joanne Seabloom of Seabloom Mini Ranch, brought her delightful little horses.
The door prize, a set of three beautiful bowls from "Pottery by Ramona,” went to Colleen Granberg of Calgary – who is related to our local family.
Highway 24/Interlakes Lions and Bridge Lake Community School kept the visitors well fed and happy.
The silent auction of items donated by generous local businesses raised $446 to help defray Bridge Lake Fair expenses.
The closing auction of donated edible entries and a mystery gift raised $284.75, $200 of which goes to Roe Lake & District Recreation Commission to thank them for free use of Interlakes Hall and grounds.
Diana Forster is the Bridge Lake correspondent.