The Cowichan Exhibition is celebrating its 151st Fair on September 6 – 9. This year’s exhibition theme of “Milk & Cookies” pays tribute to the Cowichan Region’s dairy industry. Milk is one food product in which our region is self-sufficient. And butter is a key ingredient in cookie making.
At the time of the first exhibition the local milk produced by the black and white Holstein cows was processed at the Cowichan Creamery. Those first farmers took great pride in their dairy cattle, just as today’s farmers do, and there was keen competition in butter production. Although the creamery is long gone, now local milk makes its way back to us through Island Farms.
Since 1868, this annual community agricultural fair has been mandated to encourage the cultivation of the soil, the breeding and finishing of better livestock, the general development of all agricultural resources, and to foster every branch of industrial, commercial, mechanical and household art. It provides a competition showplace for all areas of agriculture. As well, the Cowichan Exhibition Park provides a diverse venue for the Cowichan 4-H Clubs and is the ideal facility to promote awareness of agricultural products and agritourism venues within the region.
This is a fun event for the whole family with carnival rides, animals, live entertainment, hall displays, logging sports and much more. You may want to compete for speed in the amateur pole climbing competition or watch a Freestyle MotoCross show or the ever popular Tractor Pull. And be sure to visit the BuyBC booth, you will be surprised at what is produced locally.
When you come to the Cowichan Exhibition visit the 4-H Holstein calves in the barn, cheers on both the dairymen and dairymaids in the milking competition, check out the home-baked cookies in Mellor Hall and raise a glass to all of our local producers.
To learn more about the Cowichan Exhibition Fair visit www.cowex.ca
