Thousands enjoyed the weekend at the Ridge Meadows Home Show, despite the weather which started off humid and ended cool and overcast.
More than 21,000 attended the show at the Albion Fairgrounds, which ran from Friday to Sunday with more than 300 exhibitor booths and endless family entertainment.
“The people who came, shopped and enjoyed the event,” said Graham Vanstone, executive director of the show. He noted exhibitors as well as customers left the show very happy.
And, he said, crowds were steady at the free Family Fest.
“The foam party and the stage entertainment were very popular, as always,” said Vanstone, who also noted that they added more to the show this year that didn’t cost families anything. Guests could even bring their own lunch, if they wanted to.
Local magician Norden hosted the Family Fest stage, where he entertained with fellow magician The Great Gordini. Spectators also enjoyed shows like a Michael Buble tribute by Dane Szohner, contortionists by Blue Crane Contortion and Acrobatics, a Dancing Dandies act by Heather VanOene and her dandie dinmont terriers, a sneak peak of Shine Bright Studio’s upcoming presentation of “Beauty and the Beast Jr.”, and Scottish dancing by dancers from the Dunvegan Dance Academy.
Other attractions included mini golf, a Scouts Canada rally featuring Kub Kar races, and a clothing giveaway.
The Food Truck Festival was also a popular draw.
Lineups for lemon cannolis, Asian noodles, gourmet hotdogs, and twisted potatoes could be seen all weekend.
Other popular offering included Japanese teriyaki, Mexican tacos, and donairs. And on Sunday hot drinks were the draw to warm up from the chill of the rain.
Ever since trying a potato twist at another fair, 12-year-old Jaxen Mullett from Maple Ridge, made it his mission to have one at every home show.
“We come every year, because it falls on my birthday, and we always come here and get it,” said his mother, Tierra Bedford.
Raphael Correia, 19, was serving the fried, potatoes spiralled around a stick with Elaine Lau from the food truck Twisted Potato.
“People are always in a good mood, so it’s more fun,” said Correia about working the show.
Seanna Pascal said her food truck, Salt Spring Noodle Bar, has been a part of the Ridge Meadows Home Show for the past eight years, if not longer.
She comes back every year because it’s a great start to kick off the food truck season.
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“I look forward to doing this one,” said Pascal, because this is also her hometown.
Hanna Sheridan, with the food truck Cannoli King, likes the groups of people the home show brings out.
“Everyone can enjoy something here. There’s something for everyone – food trucks, the fair, the home show part,” said Sheridan.
Vanstone said the food truck festival, which is now a well-loved part of the event, started off with 10 food trucks and is now up to 16.
“It can only grow from here,” said Vanstone, adding that next year there is a good possibility there will be a rib competition.
“Why people love it is because they get a selection. You don’t have to go to 10 or 15 different restaurants. You can come to one place and try a little bit of something from everyone,” he said.
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Vanstone said he loves all the food trucks equally and would not pick a favourite.
“I don’t want to say because one of them might get mad at me,” he laughed. “I like them all equally.”
As soon as the gates closed at 4 p.m. on Sunday, wrapping up another year of the show, tear down started, taking about six hours, with only six booths left to move off the fairgrounds Monday morning.
“The rain on Sunday made clean up a bit wet, but overall a successful year,” concluded Vanstone.