Mother Nature smiled on Aldergrove Fair Days with a glorious weekend of sun and the community turned out in record numbers to take in the family-oriented activities.
A final count has not been done but fair president Robin McIntosh estimates the attendance was in the range of 7,500 over the three days.
"It was a 'record everything' this year," said fair spokesperson Karen Long. "We had so many comments from happy people that it felt like a community, safe, like a real fair should."
The fair started out Friday evening with a car show, and kicked off with a downtown parade Saturday morning, before the activities and special events took over at the fair grounds in the park next to the high school.
The events included the 99th annual Aldergrove Agricultural Association fair competitions, held inside the Kinsmen Community Centre. Entries for these competition classes were up from previous years and organizers are already planning the fair's centennial next year.
The Aldergrove Agricultural Association's Centennial trophy for top farmer was awarded to Alf and Sandee Krause of Krause Berry Farm this year.
Parade Results:
Commercial Float (Home Built) - 1st Apple Auto Glass, 2nd Rahn’s Black Belt Academy, 3rd, Langley RCMP
Non-Profit Float (Home Built) - 1st Langley Shriners Club, 2nd Silver Diamond Country Dancers, 3rd Wagner Hills Ministries
Decorated Car - 1st Langley Lightning, 2nd Tutor Doctor, 3rd Langley Speedway
Antique Vehicle - 1st Township of Langley, Recreation, Culture and Parks, 2nd Langley Senior’s Resource Centre
Farm Vehicle - 1st Fraser Valley Antique Tractors
Band – 1st Aldergrove Legion Car Show/Rawhide Bones Band Entry
Novelty/Comic Unit - 1st Save On Foods, Aldergrove, 2nd Diamond Bar Equipment, 3rd Woodlands 4H Hare and Hound
Marching Drill Team - 1st Otter Girl Guides, 2nd Aldergrove Kodiaks
Certificates can be picked up at Bob’s Bar n’ Grill, 27083 Fraser Hwy., Aldergrove or contact Karen at 604-418-9507.
In the Chili Cookoff competition on Saturday, Tim Everett and the Circle E Team took first place in both the judge's and people's choice categories, followed by Nadia Cooper and her Bakerview Team.
Bruce Heslop, president of Aldergrove Business Association, was given the pleasure of judging the Business Dress Up this year. The awards are as follows:
• 1st award for Big Top (more than 8 employees) Aldergrove Kinsmen Recreation Centre.
• 2nd award for Side Show (1-4 employees) Aldergrove Community Thrift Store.
• Special Recognition: Several companies held a major event for the fair. The date coincided with Crompton Auto Care’s first anniversary in their new location. Crompton teamed up with Bob’s Drive Line, SR Collision and Station House Bar and Grill and did an outdoor event with around 100 hot rod, classic and full race cars. They did a street party with hot dogs and beverages. All proceeds went to Aldergrove Youth Soccer.
"This is the spirit we look for in our town!" said Heslop. "Get involved, support our youth and be part of the community."