The 52nd Bridge Lake Fair was a resounding success, with gate numbers up some eight per cent, and Interlakes Volunteer Fire Department doing a handsome job of parking, ensuring that visitors did not line the highway outside Interlakes Hall.

Visitors enjoyed a full complement of vendor booths and demonstrations of tae kwon do and Judy Turnbull’s working collie dogs. Seabloom Mini Ranch thrilled the children with rides in a cart pulled by their delightful miniature horses, while New-Cal Rabbits and Alpaca Story Ranch critters were on display for all to pet. Young

Cole Cunningham brought his chickens; and clown Sharal Johnston was kept busy painting little faces.

Entertainment included Olde Tyme musicians; the Coffin Dodgers; the Deka Duo’s bluegrass music; and a delightful puppet show by Rick Barker, with friends, “Chester” and “Edgar.” Audience seating provided by hay bales was just perfect.

Weavers Siana Kelly and Kathy Mouat both demonstrated all day long. Mouat was at her spinning wheel, while Kelly taught those interested how to work the Saori weaving loom.

Generous community members provided items for a silent auction, which raised over $200 towards next year’s fair.

There were well over 700 competition entries, six percent more than last year; and nearly 100 entrants, for a four percent increase that included several first-timers. While wine and baking entries were down, flower and vegetable produce was phenomenal given our weird weather this year.

Corporate contestants saw good competition. In Tenderflake’s double-crust pie contest, Barb Matfin placed first; Tanja Swope, second; and Donna Jarvis, third. In Robin Hood’s carrot cake contest, Sharon Stewart placed first and Tanja Swope was second. Barb Matfin’s Mazola Corn Oil muffin placed first, followed by Sharon Stewart’s. Certo’s jam/jelly contest was won by Elaine Kisby and Marie Monette.

The container plant contest sponsored by Lone Butte Gardens, O’Neil Creek Trucking and Danco’s Hoof Trimming

saw five beautiful entries, with “originality of container purchased from a garage sale” being of paramount importance. Elaine Kisby’s 11-inch diametre, “holey” candle holder placed first; Fawn Lake Ranch’s “ugly stone bear” took second; and Joanne Levick’s ancient oil can won third.

Six trophies were awarded to the “best of show.” The Art Grange Memorial for Collection of Garden Vegetables went to Sheridan’s Michelle Probert. The Faessler Family High-Point Hand Knitting was won by Marcie Vidler for the sixth year running; and the Granny Larson Memorial Quilt Trophy again went to Mieke McIntosh. The Rhu Castle Cup for wine, donated by Clark Connaty, went to AJ Dwyer’s excellent plum wine.

The student high-point trophy, sponsored by Inter-lakes Cattlebelles, was won by Lone Butte’s nine-year-old Hayley Bishop with a handsome 27 points after she beat stiff competition from Bridge Lake’s Brittany Boyd (22 points) and her own 13-year-old brother, Regan (21 points).

The Grand Aggregate Trophy again went to Deka’s Pat Pasanen, with 83 points for 61 entries. In second place, Helen Zander’s 44 entries scored 71. Donna Jarvis’s 32 entries earned 55 points; and Barb Matfin’s 38 entries scored 48.

Special note is made to those whose multiple entries (minimum four) were of superior quality. Five-year-old Danickah Pasanen scored 100 per cent; Siana Kelly, 93 per cent; Marcie Vidler, 92.5 per cent; 11-year-old Ashley Cant, 92 per cent; Leroy Campbell, 89 per cent; and Judy Millard and Kim Rottluff, each 83 per cent.

In the People’s Choice awards, Virginia de Bruyn’s dramatically coloured skyline won favourite photo; and Paula Roseboom’s striking burgundy quilt won favourite quilt.

For favourite floral display, Rose Theobald’s beautiful cut, mixed arrangement won, beating her own begonia by one vote.

The candy jar held 88 candies. With several people guessing either 87 or 89, a draw was made and the candies went to Katie Lust. The fair provided one splendid door prize,

kindly put together by Michelle Kaluza; the winner was David Ormandy of Calgary.

Regular prize money paid out (not including sponsor prizes) totalled $1,195, of which $22 was donated back to the fair, and a further $64 donated back to Roe Lake and District Recreation Commission who provide their facilities at no charge for the entire weekend. The closing auction, of entries donated by competitors, raised a handsome $252, which also goes to Roe Lake Rec.

Dates for the 2010 Bridge Lake Fair have not yet been confirmed.