President’s Message 2019
This year’s theme at Sooke Fall Fair 2019 is “Rooted in Tradition”.
Our old traditions were hunting, fishing and gathering and providing ourselves
with the basics of clothing and housing. Eventually, through time and changing
technology, we enhanced our clothing and homes and preserved food to last
through the winters. We carved and whittled wood to make beautiful and
useful items; discovering natural dyes, paints and stains to decorate and protect
our creations. We found opportunities to write our once oral histories with
availability of paper, charcoal, pencil and ink.
We grew flowers as well as vegetables and our families would brag about
whose was bigger and better. Farmers vied for the best bull or cow to earn
their bragging rights. The Fairs became the place for us to bring our best crops
and creations and a healthy competition ensued. Fairs go back hundreds of years and serve as our roots both
physically and traditionally.
Families who immigrated to this area brought with them seeds, roots, cattle, sheep, goats, chickens, geese and
more, as well as their knowledge to impart to others. Indigenous peoples shared their talents and expertise of
fishing, hunting, traditional medicines, knowledge of the oceans and rivers, gathering of fruits and drying of
fish with the new visitors. Knowledge was shared by both and enhanced. We continue to this day, one hundred
and six years later, with our shared knowledge and healthy competition at our Fair.
We hope many will be encouraged to embrace our traditions and show the true value of their skills and engage
and enter their talents at the fair. We all have deep roots which keep us strong; like a robust tree we branch out
and explore our talents. Every one of us, from children to seniors, has a talent and we want you to express that
talent at our fair. From growing roses and marigolds, to raising sheep and cattle, to keeping bees, to chickens
and eggs, knitting, baking, preserving, sewing, painting, carving, writing, growing vegetables, taking pictures
and more…. We welcome the competition!
Ellen Lewers
Sooke Fall Fair President 2019
Sooke Fall Fair Philosophy
The Sooke Fall Fair is a community fair that gives people an opportunity to congregate in the spirit of the “Rural Fair” philosophy.
The philosophy embodies:
Pride in local natural resources
Pride and focus on individual and family endeavors
The integration of young and elderly, able and disabled, participator and spectator.
The spirit of volunteerism in which our community has long prided itself.
The Sooke Fall Fair, in this traditional annual event is a reflection of Sooke’s strong community spirit.
Mailing Address:
Sooke Fall Fair, Box 291, Sooke, BC V9Z 0S9 email: sookefallfairemail@gmail.com
The Fair is held at the Sooke Community Hall, Shields Road across from Mom’s Cafe. Some exhibits are also across the street at the Sooke branch of the Canadian Legion.
Tidbits of Info:
The Fair is held yearly usually on the second weekend of September.
Sooke Fall Fair was first held in 1913.
In 2016 the first Sooke Car Show was held at the Sooke Flats.