Put your best pie forward

The Fourth Annual Nelson Fall Fair mixes the old with the new – a revival of Nelson’s historic Harvest Fair with an international day of action on climate change.

From the early twentieth century through 1966, Nelson hosted a bustling fall fair every year. Long-time Nelson residents remember the event with fondness and some still have their prize ribbons stashed away in their basements.

In 2008, EcoSociety revived the tradition with a family-friendly celebration of the Fall harvest at the Cottonwood Community Market. For 2011, the Fall Fair will be on Saturday September 24th.

“EcoSociety presents the Cottonwood and Downtown Markets in order to support the local food movement,” said David Reid, EcoSociety’s Executive Director. “Local food and crafts have less impact on the environment and they strengthen our community and our economy. The Fall Fair is a celebration of that.”

In the true spirit of an agricultural fair, there will be a contest for best locally grown fruits and vegetables, home preserves, home baked pies and fruit desserts, food art and more.

Additionally, there will be live music and fun races for the kids at noon including such classics as the three-legged and the wheelbarrow race. Full contest guidelines are available at www.ecosociety.ca.

For 2011, the Fall Fair is also one of hundreds of events around the world that are bringing attention to the need for action on climate change. The Moving Planet event is organized by 350.org and is billed as “a worldwide rally to demand solutions to the climate crisis.”

The Nelson event will encourage people to take action by buying from local producers, and at 3 pm there will be two people-powered demonstrations: bicycle riders will travel to Lakeside Park and back, and walkers will head to city hall.