Tomatoes will turn green with envy and kids will smile with glee; the zucchini races at the Brackendale Fall Fair are back and this year they've got new wheels.
The 19th annual fall fair kicks off on Saturday (Sept. 7). As with previous years, the event will have a little bit of everything for everyone, including the famous zucchini races, fair organizer Thor Froslev said.
"Everyone loves those races," he said. "It's incredible."
Introduced to Froslev by a friend, the great Dane said he didn't think the game would fly. He's been shaking his head ever since. Participants race zucchinis transformed into speed machines down a wooden plank. It's simple, but it always draws a crowd.
The zucchini race won't be the only activity spread out on the green lawn at the Brackendale Farmers Institute Park. The fair kicks off at 10 a.m., with a parade around the grounds at 11 a.m. Seventy-two vendors will be set up, displaying a variety of goods and services.
There will be a petting zoo, hay rides and artists painting throughout the event. Bakers and craft makers will be going head-to-head in the fair's competition, Froslev said before quickly lamenting that he's never been a judge in the baking contest.
Don't forget the music. Canadian composer, songwriter and folksinger Paul Valdemar Horsdal - commonly know as Valdy - hits the fair's stage at 11:30 a.m. Valdy is the winner of two Juno awards for folk music. In 2011, he was appointed a member of the Order of Canada, honouring his contributions to the country's music world.
"It was quite a coup to get him," Froslev said.
For more info visit www.brackendalefallfair.ca.
