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| Saltspring Island Fall Fair 2015 |
The last days of summer – time for Saltspring Island Fall
Fair, and – coincidentally – time for the monthly Saltspring Milonga. One heads
off via ferry across the waters of Stuart Channel, and – to allow plenty of time for the
Saltspring Experience – one rents a place to sleep for a night.
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| Stocking up on Poop and Scoop supplies - by the yard.... |
Most striking passenger on the crossing: a gentleman who
loaded up on doggy poop bags provided via self serve dispenser by the community
at the ferry parking lot. He had no dog, but he pulled out enough bags to last
a month of doggy business, should he ever get a dog.
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| Luxury in the Woods... |
On Saltspring Island I checked into my five star ‘log cabin’
which according to the advertising comfortably but rustically sleeps two adults
and a child….bring your own sleeping pad and bedding. Yes, it has water, one
electric outlet, a single light bulb under the ceiling, a window and a door,
for which you bring your own lock or borrow one against a five dollar deposit.
Well, it is a campground, and the ‘cabin’ is a glorified tent. Clean showers
and toilets available.
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| Rustic Bunks...Mother Earth visible through the cracks in the floor... |
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| Yes, it had potable water 'on site' |
Off to the Fair on Rainbow Road. One realizes how many
people actually live on Saltspring when faced with endless line of cars parked
at both sides of the narrow streets leading up to the fair – it went on for
miles!
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| Two days of Fair Fun.... |
Fall Fairs have changed character over the last few decades.
In the seventies they were competitive gatherings of local (and visiting)
farmers and ranchers to exhibit and judge livestock, poultry, fruit of field
and garden, heavy horse and light horse competition with a bit of country
entertainment and home cooking thrown in for good measure to round out the
agricultural theme.
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| Goose Selfie... |
Today Fairs have mutated into food fairs, exhibition of a
few farm animals (more like ‘samples’ of the real thing back at the farm), competitions
of handicrafts and home cooking, sheep dog trials and plenty of diversions for
youngsters such as zucchini or chicken races.
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| Working Sheep Dog trial.... |
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| Gentlemen, start up your engines.... |
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| Race Result for the feathered runners.... |
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| And the winners are..... |
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| Quilting Exhibit |
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| Flower Arrangement Exhibit |
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| Textile Art Exhibit |
What remains the same is this: excellent venue for people
watching, especially on Saltspring Island which is somewhat ‘a world apart’, a
paradise for aging and still young hippies, alternative life style
adherents, everything organic from
clothing to meals at the food stands, fringe fashions and non-traditional
family structures, and a forest of Green Party button wearers .
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| Left female - right male... |
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| International Cooks and Cooking at the Fair |
The weather cooperated, and rubber Wellington Boots were
optional…
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| Quirky Fashions of the Island |
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| Cooking up something organic, which smelled delicious |
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| Flowing Fashions of Saltspring |
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| Flowing Tresses of Saltspring |
I spent an enjoyable afternoon watching, mingling as well as
tasting sweet fresh corn on the cob, before heading to the local milonga Por El
Amor del Tango for a few hours of dancing tango – and a Chacarera (popular
Argentinian Folkdance) to mark ‘half time’ of the dance session.
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| Let's Dance.... |
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| with a view over Saltspring Harbour |
It was pitch dark when I returned to the camp ground, only
the lights of a few RV’s of my camping neighbours were still on. My immediate
neighbour had a cozy camp fire lighting up the front of his travel trailer, and
he attended the flickering source of light and warmth totally naked…hmmm….time
to ‘flee’ to the interior of my little home away from home.
Saltspring Island, always a memorable experience…..
