South Langley fair a chance to find rural roots

A trip to southern Langley on Saturday or Sunday may just create a feeling of going back in time.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days, visitors can experience the Township’s 36th annual Old Fashioned Fall Fair. It’s a yearly country-style celebration complete with food, games, vendors, and plenty of entertainment for the entire family.

Admission is free for those six years old and younger, 65 or older, and anyone who dresses in a pioneer costume. For adults without a costume, entrance is $3 and $2 for children aged seven to 13.

Special events coordinator with Metro Vancouver, Jeremy Plotkin, noted the event is a way to celebrate nature, heritage, agriculture, and community all in one fun environment.

Among many food vendors will be typical fair foods like cotton candy, kettle corn, mini donuts, freshly squeezed lemonade, hot dogs, and burgers.

“It will be mostly food trucks and trailers,” said Plotkin, who added the new food available this year will include grilled cheese, pakoras, quesadillas, and Filipino cuisine.

For those who would like to buy fresh food to prepare later at home, Plotkin noted four local farms will be on site selling local produce.

“There will be about 50 or 60 vendors,” he added. “We have a strict criteria that we only let people in with things they make themselves.”

About a dozen environmental groups will also be on hand to discuss the various projects they are involved in.

“We have our pioneer tent to represent what pioneers would have done in the late 1800s,” Plotkin said.

Old fashioned games will include classics like the potato sack race, egg and spoon race, and bean bag toss. There will be ribbons for kids.

Another game created in the past that will be on site will be horseshoes, with the Cloverdale Horseshoe club providing demonstrations on site.

Jugglers, clowns, music and performances will bring the day to life with a special guest performance by Bobs and Lolo.

Hands-on entertainment will include a hula hoop workshop, kite making, and Sunday’s cow milking demonstration.

“The horse drown wagon rides are always popular,” Plotkin added.

The event runs rain or shine and visitors are encouraged to carpool.