It was a wonderful sense of community at the Halfmoon Bay Country Fair 50th anniversary this weekend, with an estimated 1,500 people in attendance.
Over 50 children took part in the fishing derby on Saturday morning. Scott and Marion from the Halfmoon Bay General Store, Duane at Sechelt Signs and Aileen from the Halfmoon Bay Café sponsored this event. Scott and Marion match funds raised from the fishing registration and the money is then donated to the Halfmoon Bay Childcare Centre.
Prizes given were fishing rods, large squirt guns, and body boards. The look on one young lad’s face when he received a prize of three toy cars (for smallest fish) was worth a million dollars.
The Saturday night dance sold out, and credit goes to chefs Carlos, Dan and Paul who served an additional 20 plus meals for those who could not stay for the musical evening.
On Sunday, Pamela Goldsmith-Jones and Gary Nohr opened the Fair, which was celebrated with a large anniversary cake donated by Claytons Heritage Market.
Nohr, although under the weather, but being the trooper that he is, stayed for a while. Goldsmith-Jones, MP for the Sunshine Coast, circulated and joined in the merriment in good fashion, judging the cakes donated for the cakewalk.
The Centre Stage had a great mix of entertainment and saw an audience in front of the stage all day.
The Halfmoon Bay volunteer firefighters had a busy day serving up delicious barbecue burgers. And the day would not have started right without the traditional breakfast, prepared by the Halfmoon Bay Healthcare Auxiliary.
The beer garden was run by another non-profit society, the Sunshine Coast Association for Community Living, and what a tremendous job they did.
Coopers Green Park was buzzing all day. The fun wound down with Poppa Greg and the Chillin’ Dylans, who closed the centre stage, playing to crowds who stayed after the Fair officially closed. No one wanted to go home.
Thanks to the 30-plus volunteers who made it work on the day. And a huge expression of thanks to Lori Wishlow and Toni Morris, who worked for two solid months, multiple hours every day, weekends included, to make sure the Fair was an honour to the 49 fairs that preceded this one.
To have your say at the bay, contact me before 5 p.m. Monday at [email protected] or 604-885-5034.
