It was more than 16 years ago that Thor Froslev first planted the seed of an idea that would eventually grow into the annual Brackendale Fall Fair.
It was then, during a Brackendale Farmer's Institute meeting, that Froslev first proposed a fall fair. But the idea didn't germinate at first.
"It was voted down. They didn't want to do it," he said.
So Froslev bided his time until the right moment to revisit the subject arose.
"Eventually the time was right," he said. "And when I brought it up again, people were ready and willing to take it on and organize the event."
Appropriately enough, the Fall Fair's theme this year is "Sowing the Seeds."
"It speaks to the idea of saving seeds, and having enough good seeds and planning for the future of the community," said Froslev.
And since Froslev planted that seed 16 years ago, the Brackendale Fall Fair has grown into a much-anticipated community event with more than 2,500 people annually attending the day of fun at the Brackendale Farmer's Institute [BFI] Park on Government Road.
Beginning at 10:30 a.m. with the Sea to Sky Fiddlers, the Fall Fair features a full day of eclectic music featuring the Squamish Pipe Band, Cherie Summers, Caroline Grass and Friends, Cam Salay and Rita Kyle, Marie-Jose Vermette, Jenny, and Evan Captain and Friends.
"Evan is this amazing guitarist from Quest," said Froslev. "He's just incredible, and he's bringing a 15-piece band with him, so it will be pretty amazing."
Also returning this year is 2010 Juno Award winner and kids' favourite Norman Foote.
It takes a lot of volunteers and a lot of work to get everything prepared, said Froslev. The fair takes place Saturday, Sept. 11, but preparations begin several days earlier.
"The secret and key to the Fall Fair is volunteers," said Froslev.
"We always need all the help we can get, and we never seem to have enough volunteers. But the secret to pulling it all off is delegation. For instance, my wife Dorte always designs the posters for the fair, and Cam Salay is taking care of the music.
"But it only takes a day to take it all down when the Fall Fair is over," he added.
Another thing the Fall Fair needs more of, according to Froslev, is space.
"We need more room," he said. "We have more than 50 vendors, games, produce and crafts, animals, hay rides, mini-golf, live music and more.
"We can't bring in any more stuff, and we'd like to. We're just a simple little backwoods fair - not the PNE - but we do need more room."
The Brackendale Fall Fair runs Saturday Sept. 11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the BFI Park in Brackendale.
Admission is $4 for adults, $3 for teens (13 to 19), $2 for seniors and youths (six to 12) and kids under five years enter for free.
Volunteers working the gate will show attendees the best place to park their vehicles.
Anyone wishing to volunteer can call 604-892-4271 or 604-898-3333.
