The 55th Halfmoon Bay Fair will go down in the HBCA history books as one of the most successful events we’ve had in our community! So many people to thank, so let’s get started:
- VOLUNTEERS – An event only exists “on paper”, unless you are fortunate enough to have volunteers dedicating countless hours to bring it to life. And we had that…in abundance. How about that Pancake Breakfast – put on by the volunteers at the Sunshine Coast Healthcare Auxiliary. So glad to have them back as a traditional part of the event. Thanks to every single one of our volunteers! You are the true backbone of the HBCA!
- SPONSORS – We bring this annual event to the community without the price of admission. To do that, we rely on sponsorship. There are 450 non-profits on the Sunshine Coast all asking for financial assistance, and these companies come through time after time. As Keith said, if you purchase goods or services at any of these businesses, please remember to thank them!
- MARKETPLACE VENDORS – Shop local – a common refrain on the Sunshine Coast. And for a good reason! We have some seriously talented individuals with unique and varied offerings. Many came back to our Marketplace because of their success last year. And we’ll ask them to return in 2024. In the meantime, you’ll find many at the public markets on the Coast. A full list can be found here.
- MARKETPLACE – NON-PROFITS: 12 non-profits (volunteers!) were delighted to share their work with the fair-goers. Want to watch a Queen Bee tended by the hive? Want to learn about the history of our area? Or pet a dog who has graduated from the Pet Therapy training at St. John’s Ambulance? The HMB Elementary School was back with their popular Cake Walk!
- FOOD & BEVERAGE VENDORS – We’ve got some hungry and thirsty fair-goers on the Coast and some really excellent cooks and brewers to satisfy those cravings. We’re so appreciative that they dedicated their Sunday to our event (after spending a full day at the Sechelt market the day before!).
- MAIN STAGE – From jazzy/bluesy/folk music, a Community Jam ensemble, some favourites by a popular local duo, to some seriously rockin’ sets to close out the Fair – we were treated to a wide range of excellent music. Thanks to Simon Paradis for bringing this amazing local talent to our events and to Peter the Sound Guy for ensuring we hear them at their best. And let’s not forget the Story Theatre Pop-up Troupe! Delightfully entertaining with their costumes and corny take on old favourite stories.
- BINGO – Another successful year for Dan, Cheryl and their team. Word has it that 750 50-cent cards were played! All money goes to the HBCA’s Community Initiatives Fund, from which donations are made to local non-profits serving Halfmoon Bay.
- MC KEITH (on the Coast) – Keith left Parksville at 4:00 a.m. on Sunday to ensure that he’d be able to MC the Fair! He has been instrumental in getting the word out about the HBCA, and in pitching the idea of 91.7 Coast FM being our “media” sponsor for our entire 2023 event series. This equals a sponsorship of approximately $2500! We do not take this lightly; huge PROPS to all at the radio station! Keith will be MC for Lazy Daze #2 and #3 and the Seaside Shuffle. Breaking News: he will broadcast LIVE from Coopers Green for those 2 Lazy Daze events.
Thanks to our resident photographer, Chelsea Rosium of cbrphotography, we have a gallery of shots taken as she walked around the field, capturing images of spontanaiety. All tell one story – joy! See for yourself here. While not nearly as talented, and only armed with my phone camera, I took a few shots you can find here. Any of these images are available to the public; just download from the links. Chelsea asks that, if you use hers, please give her credit and where possible provide a link to her website. The Coast Reporter will feature many of them in their “Coast Scene” section the w/o July 24th. And this week, look for “Observations at the Fair” in the Halfmoon Happenings section.
And that’s a wrap!
Coming Soon! All the details for the next event – Lazy Daze #1 at Coopers Green on July 28th!