The Brackendale Farmers Institute Fall Fair returns for its 13th annual celebration this from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday (Sept. 8), and although the dancing, feasting and singing will be familiar to Fall Fair fans, this year's subtext is a sad one.
Visitors not already in the know may notice t-shirts and pamphlets throughout the event announcing that this year's celebration is dedicated to the "Heart of Brackendale." The slogan refers to the campaign to save the 32 acres of Crown land - including the fairgrounds - that Brackendale Farmers Institute (BFI) members say was dedicated as a park decades ago, but which McDonald Development Corporation is proposing to develop in partnership with the Squamish Nation."There would be no Fall Fair [without the park]," said longtime BFI organizer Thor Froslev.
The forested area west of Ross Road, and east of the railway tracks and north of Depot Road has been home to eight of the last 12 Fall Fairs.
But the property may be in jeopardy as developers are "poised to pounce," according to the campaign website."The BFI Park land is caught up in a larger chunk known as The Cheekye Fan," states a new BFI website dedicated to the campaign. "For many years we were led to believe that this land was not suitable for housing development because of some cataclysmic geological probability, which appears to have suddenly become a non-issue."
In 1957, the BFI had the foresight to set aside as parkland, states the website.
Then, in the early 1980s, a neighbourhood dad cleared and established the three main trails so that his young son could have a safe place to ride his dirt bike.
Since then the park has become a favourite with walkers, dogs and mountain bikers and is a part of the now famous Squamish Trail System.
One part of the BFI trails is a segment of the historic Old Pemberton Trail.
In1992, the revived BFI began lobbying at all levels of government for permanent park status for this land. Since that time they have also cleared and maintained an area for the Fall Fair, improved trails, installed gates, brought in power and made other improvements.
"It is hoped that by the end of this year, at the request of the District of Squamish to the provincial government, that the Brackendale Farmers Institute Park will be declared as parkland in perpetuity."
Despite this year's focus, the day will nonetheless be filled with children's laughter and the typical fall fair sights and sounds, said Froslev, with an anticipated 58 vendors, live entertainment, mini-golf, zucchini races, hayrides, a farm animal petting zoo, as well as a parade at 11 a.m. featuring the members of the 92-year-old Brackendale Farmer's Institute members.
Beef on bun and corn on the cob will also be at the fair as well as ice cream and soft drinks.
"It's a good damn weekend," said Froslev after last year's event. "It's about neighbourhood, and to be with friends and neighbours is where it is at."
