Approximately 4,500 people attended the Haying In The 30’s event in Mallaig from August 5 – 6, fundraising $240,000 for victims of Cancer.
Volunteers suited in historical costumes manned different buildings to give demonstrations to visitors.
At the site there is a blacksmith shop, weaving shop, general store, saloon, North West Mounted Police station, and a CN station where visitors could learn Morse Code. New this year was a Hudson Bay Trading Post with artifacts and a trapper’s cabin.
This year’s event included a barber, pre-cut birdhouses, and field demonstrations of binding and thrashing as well as a horse-drawn baler. The elaborate show is run by a 14 member board and approximately 300 volunteers.
The crowd enjoyed a silent and live auction as well as the teamsters and their horses.
“It was amazing; very well organized. My children loved the homemade ice cream and bannock. I loved seeing the horses, plowing, harrowing, and harvesting. It was so nice to see all of the seniors doing the polka and two-step for hours on end. They also had a bazaar and live auction with all of the proceeds going directly to the families with cancer,” said Lorraine Kochan.
Aside from all of the historic activities, meals were a large hit with speedy service.
“For the August 5 supper, we fed 1,850 people in 58 minutes. Overall, this was the best event we’ve had in 18 years,” said President of the Haying In The 30’s Cancer Support Society, Martin Naundorf.
For more information, you can visit www.hayinginthe30s.com.
Photos submitted