Around 50,000 people are expected to attend the Saanich Fair happening this Labour Day long weekend.
The long-time community event, the largest agricultural fair in B.C., is now in its 154th year and happening at the Saanichton Fairgrounds.
Catriona McHattie has been attending the fair since she was a child and grew to love it so much that she took the reigns as president.
“I have never missed a fair in my entire life,” McHattie told CHEK News.
“I’m not gonna tell you how old I am, but for quite a few decades I have been here every weekend.”
But for her, having the whole community come out and participate year after year is what makes it so special.
“It’s the heart of the community,” McHattie said. “We love it.”
The Saanich Fair made its return from the COVID-19 pandemic last year at a limited capacity and this year, things are back to normal.
According to organizers, the fair’s 2022 theme is “Plant Your Roots at the Fair.”
And while the event has plenty of fan favourites back in full swing, including rollercoasters, animals, food and entertainment, McHattie says it’s the hard-working farmers and familiar faces that make it all possible.
“It’s where you get to run into people you haven’t seen since high school, or you haven’t seen your neighbour since you moved out of your old neighbourhood and you run into them. It’s just such a community event,” McHattie added.
More information about the Saanich Fair, happening this Saturday, Sunday and Monday (Sept. 3, 4 and 5) can be found online here.
Mohammed Hussain
