Get your hats and boots ready for the annual Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Country Fest.
According to Luca di Prata, Country Fest marketing/social media director, the two-day festival is one of Maple Ridge’s oldest traditions.
The fair is run by the Agricultural Association, which formed in 1901. Despite it’s old age, Country Fest has many new events this year.
Country Fest has added a show called Spencer Creek: Live Musical Showcase. The title was chosen in honor of the former name of the Albion Fairgrounds, when it was owned by Maple Ridge’s Spencer family.
Spencer Creek will feature five local performers, each receiving $300 for their show. In addition to cash, one talented performer will be chosen by a local music producer from Abbotsford to receive two free days of studio recording at Studio Downe Under in Abbotsford.
The fair will also host a blueberry pie eating contest for the first time in over a decade. Di Prata said the pie contest matches the festival’s heritage theme.
“It’s the typical festival small-town fair thing, so we want to bring that back.”
The pies will be made with fresh blueberries from the Golden Eagle Group in Pitt Meadows.
Another new sight is the Buy B.C. village, a partnership with the provincial government’s Buy BC: Eat Drink Local campaign to promote local agriculture and production and to encourage people to buy locally sourced food.
Country Fest will have six different Buy B.C. activity stations including vegetable, fruit, poultry, beef/dairy, pork and fish.
Aside from new events, Country Fest will have the crowd favorites: the Canadian Heritage Stage, pig and duck races, beer gardens, 4-H show, horse shows, food trucks, artisan demonstrations, amusement rides, and various kids’ activities.
The Agricultural Association is in its 117th year. Over the years, the association has committed to staging the annual fair to show livestock, produce, crafts, and community.
The association aims to bring together rural and urban people in an “atmosphere of wholesome entertainment and good sportsmanship.”
Di Prata said Country Fest strives to support all things local.
“All in all, Country Fest aims at promoting agriculture. As we’ve evolved, we want to support local agriculture and economy and encourage people to stay as local as possible, whether it’s supporting local bands or farms.”
This year’s Country Fest is held on Saturday, July 28 and Sunday, July 29 at the Albion Fairgrounds, on Jim Robson Way.
Admission is free.
