HYMERS, Ont - For 106 years, people have been venturing out into rural farm land to celebrate the area’s agricultural roots, and just like in 1912, it’s an opportunity to see where local food comes from and who is growing it.
“As farmers, we work so hard to provide fresh food and vegetables for all the area, so it’s wonderful that everyone can come and visit us here,” said Shannon Vanlenthe, of The Squash Queen Agricultural Company.
Vanlenthe was one of many local farmers selling fresh produce at the 106th Annual Hymers Fall Fair. The two-day long fair being held on Sunday and Monday is all about celebrating the area’s agricultural heritage.
“The Hymers Fair is a lot of things to a lot of people, but at its core is the celebration of the growing of food and self-sustaining,” said Shannon Dodd-Smith, vice president with the Hymers Agricultural Society. “When we think about where our food comes from, we really want to support local growers, local producers. When things are grown closer to home, there is more meaning and more health benefits. The Hymers Fair is like the original celebration of eat local.”
Dodd-Smith added that this year they added a new feature and encouraged people to bring in any extra vegetables from backyard gardens to be sold at a shared table.
“We really want to support our local producers and neighbours and try to pass it on to the next generation and share the idea of how wonderful it is to produce your own food, raise your own animals, your own crops,” she said.
While fresh fruits and vegetables are at the heart of the fair, there is something for everyone, from horse jumping, livestock judging, bingo, live entertainment, a market, arts and crafts, and of course, food.
And once again, the fair grounds were packed, despite a little fog and Sunday afternoon drizzle.
"We think that it is staying true to our roots and not straying too far from the classic agricultural fair feel,” Dodd-Smith said. “It’s really and truly a warm and welcoming atmosphere.”
With so many people coming out to take in rural life, and take away some locally grown vegetables, Vanlenthe said she expects to sell thousands of pounds of produce this weekend.
“We go through so much product here at the Hymers Fair,” she said. “I could probably sell 500 pounds of squash in one weekend, 1,000 pounds of potatoes at least, 200 dozen corn, 200 pounds of cucumbers.”
Vanlenthe has been coming to the Hymers Fair for the past 16 years and for her, it is all about making that direct contact with people buying her products.
“You are buying out of your farmer’s hand and there is that connection with your food and where it is coming from,” she said.
That connection is not lost on Angela Iuvancigh, who works with her partner Thomas Groenheide on his family farm, Tarrymore Farms, and was at her very first Hymers Fair on Sunday.
“It’s really amazing to me,” she said. “It’s a really rewarding thing to be able to do. I don’t think there is anything better than growing food and sharing it with other people.”
“You are creating that relationship from farmer to customer, but you are seeing the face behind the people growing your food and to me that is really important to make that connection,” Iuvancigh continued. “You know where your food is coming from. And it’s important for us farmers too because we really appreciate the support.”
The Hymers Fall Fair continues on Monday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hymers Fair Grounds. For more information, visit the Hymers Fall Fair website.
