You don't get to be 111 years of age without adding a few new wrinkles.
While the Sooke Fall Fair is holding on to what made it so popular for more than a century, organizers have added some new features to this year's event.
"Our focus has always been about sharing the community's history," said Lisa Nilsson, president of the Sooke Fall Fair Association. "The changes we made for this year are all about providing families with more options."
One of the new additions is an exhibit by the Sooke Regional Museum that focuses on the fair's theme this year, Water is Life.
"We're also adding a Fun Zone for all ages, with great games and prizes," Nilsson said. "We're going to have food trucks and vendors on site for the first time, and starting this year, you can register online. People can also leave their animals overnight if they prefer because we'll have staff on site for that."
Of course, the traditional elements that have made the fair such a success will be there, including the pet parade, which is in its 62nd year, and needle crafts, animals, photography exhibits, kitchen crafts, arts and crafts, and more.
"Local talent will provide live music and entertainment as well," Nilsson added.
Admission is by donation for the Sooke Fall Fair, which takes place in the Sooke Community Hall at 2037 Shields Rd. The event is open to the public from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7, with opening ceremonies from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Highlights include the Great Sooke-ini race at 2 p.m., and the Chili Cook-off at 3:30 p.m.
The fair runs on Sunday, Sept. 8 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with closing ceremonies from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. The pie-eating contest is at 11:30 a.m., the pet parade gets underway at 1 p.m., and there will be a mobile forge demonstration.
"We couldn't do this without the support of the community, our numerous sponsors, and our volunteers," Nilsson said.
Visit https://sookefallfair.ca/wp/ to pre-register, and for a look at the full schedule and all of the events.
Please note Shields Road will be closed to traffic from the intersection at Eustace Road to the Sooke Legion parking lot on Saturday, and between the Legion's driveways on Sunday.
Gypsea Bus Charters is running a free shuttle bus from Edward Milne Community School to the Sooke Community Hall during the fair's hours of operation.
The Sooke Harbourside Lions will not have a food concession this year due to the chili cook-off.
Anyone interested in volunteering this year or in the future should contact sookefallfairemail@shaw.ca.
