A bite-sized look at local news and community events happening in Agassiz and Harrison. Have a mini story to share? Email nina.grossman@ahobserver.com or call (604) 796-4302.
Autumn Harvest Festival
Kilby Historic Site is heading into its fall hours – open only Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. until Oct. 28. But that doesn’t mean the site’s excellent family events come to an end!
On Sunday, Sept. 9 from 11 a.m.- 3 p.m. the public is invited to ring in fall with the Autumn Harvest Festival. Autumn-themed crafts and games for kids, apple cider pressing demonstrations, a vendor market and a barbecue make for a perfect memory-making family day. Enjoy live music with the Central Fraser Valley Fiddlers, enjoy some fresh apple pie and check out old-school cars with the Golden Ears Vintage Car Club’s on site vintage car show!
And, if you’re feeling lucky, guess the weight of one of Kilby’s many pumpkins!
Regular admission applies. For more information contact Kilby Historic Site at (604) 796-9576.
Year of the corn: The 114th Agassiz Fall Fair and 70th Corn Festival
It’s one of the best times of the year in Agassiz, when a “CORNucopia of fun with family and friends” returns in the form of the annual Agassiz Fall Fair and Corn Festival Sept. 14-15.
Beloved across the Valley and amongst locals, the 114th Agassiz Fall Fair celebrates a yellow cereal grain that grows rampant in farmer’s fields across the District of Kent. That’s right folks, it’s the year of corn.
The yearly, award-winning fall fair brings thousands of people to the fair grounds for a taste of all that is wonderful about Agassiz and the agriculture of the Fraser Valley. Visitors and locals alike enjoy the small town charm and old-school traditions of an over-century old tradition.
Opening mid-afternoon Friday and running all day Saturday, visitors can enjoy the midway, stage entertainment and beer gardens, a Saturday morning parade (at 10 a.m.) and a wide variety of 4-H and public fair entries.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a corn-themed fall fair without the crowning of the Corn King and Queen and a corn-husking competition on Saturday. There’s also a goat-milking contest, pie-eating contest, logger sports demonstration, antique tractor pull, kids corner and Farmers Market.
If somehow, that isn’t enough to get the whole family out, then the great fair food should do the trick. Enjoy burgers, hot dogs, barbecued chicken and of course, corn.
There is no admission cost to fair grounds on Friday. On Saturday adult passes are $10, children aged 6-11 are $5 and kids six and under are free.
Reduced rate passes can be purchased prior to Sept. 14 at a number of local businesses.
Related: Sunshine, smiles at 113th Agassiz Fall Fair
Celebrate Terry Fox
Terry Fox is a Canadian hero, and what better way to celebrate his incredible legend than by taking part in the Agassiz-Harrison Terry Fox Run Sept. 16.
Terry’s dream was to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research. He ran 5,373 kilometres before he was forced to stop when his cancer returned.
“It’s got to keep going without me,” he said.
To date, the Terry Fox Foundation for Cancer Research has raised over $750 million, and every dollar raised goes directly to research. As a result of that research, many cancers which were once deadly can now be treated or cured. Since the ’90s, the number of people living five years after diagnosis has increased by 95 per cent! As Terry once said, “I believe in miracles, I have to.”
Agassiz-Harrison Terry Fox Run participants can walk, ride, push, stroll or run. There are 2-kilometre, 5-kilometre and 10-kilometre routes to choose from. Dogs (on a leash) are also very welcome to join. There is no entry fee and no minimum donation – everyone is welcome to come and have fun! You can enter online at terryfox.org, or at the run.
The Run starts at Cheam Village, 1525 MacKay Crescent, Agassiz. Registration is 9 a.m. and the run starts at 10 a.m.
For more information please contact Chris Wilson by email at the4willies@telus.net or Ross McInroy at ram1995@hotmail.com.
Related: Big brother Terry Fox: Darrell reflects on 40-year legacy
Police cyclists stopping in Agassiz
There’s one more special event to add to your calendar for next weekend. Cyclists in the Cops for Cancer Tour de Valley – including Agassiz RCMP officer Const. Lisa Bennett – will be stopping through Agassiz Sept. 15 around 2:40 p.m. The public is invited to welcome the group at the Agassiz Legion, show their support and take some photos with the riders.
The Cops for Cancer ride tours the Lower Mainland from Sept. 13-21, with cyclists biking 800 kilometres in nine days in a bid to raise money for pediatric cancer research and for the Canadian Cancer Society’s Camp Good Times, a Maple Ridge camp that provides a medically-supervised camp experience for kids battling cancer and their families.
Const. Lisa Bennett told the Observer back in April that she was thrilled to take on the challenge and raise money for such a great cause.
“Kids shouldn’t have to suffer, they shouldn’t have to be going to hospitals,” Bennett said. “I’d do anything to help make it comfortable for them.”
Donations will be accepted on site.
Related: Local RCMP officer joining Cops for Cancer tour
Sasquatch Park opens for final days of summer
Sasquatch Provincial Park is set to re-open Sept. 6, after being closed for over three weeks while crews battled the Mt. Hicks wildfire.
With Mt. Hicks now fully contained, the park is set to re-open so that Lakeside and Hicks campground will be available for camping and reservations until Oct. 7, and all day-use areas and trails are open to the public.
Related: Supporting fire crews no longer needed at Mt.Hicks wildfire
nina.grossman@ahobserver.com
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