The Kimberley Community Fair has been packed up and by Monday morning Marysville Arena was back to normal —no sign of the hundreds of exhibitors and customers who spent the weekend selling and shopping.
Overall, it was excellent, says Chair Bev Middlebrook.
“It went well, it went off without a hitch,” she said. “I had one vendor tell me that on Saturday he sold more in three hours than he had in 17 years. Other people said it blew the doors off of previous years, other people said they didn’t do as well this year. There’s no rhyme or reason to it.”
Numbers were down about 300 over the previous year’s gate, she said, with Saturday down and Sunday up.
“I’m not sure why. It could be the economy, it could be that the Cranbrook market is extending its season — that cost us a couple of vendors I think, though not enough to make a huge impact. But there were lots of different activities and events all weekend —golf tournaments, minor hockey all sorts of different things. That can all have an impact.”
Numbers down at the gate do have an impact on how much non-profit groups realize from the fair. All proceeds from the Fair go to non-profit groups in Kimberley.
The Fair is always a three way partnership between community, volunteers and vendors.
But overall, many more positives than negatives.
“A booth that has been coming for 11 years sent a $50 cheque over and above their fee.
“The $50 was a donation,” Middlebrook said. “They said the people in Kimberley are so great and friendly, the fair committee is so helpful and nice. I hear a lot of those comments — that people love to come here. As Chair I try to keep it friendly, fun and laid back.”
See photos from the Fair page 16.