The action at Saanich Fair Monday afternoon was as much about beating the heat as watching tractor races, rabbit agility demonstrations or perusing organic produce.
“It’s really hot, so we’re just leaving a little bit earlier,” said Adam MacIsaac, heading for the exit gates at noon as his daughters, Yiru, 6, and Yile, 4, cooled off with sno-cones in a tiny wagon.
With an unseasonably strong ridge of high-pressure pushing temperatures higher by the hour, the lineups to leave Saanich Fairgrounds at times seemed as long as those to get in.
Temperatures recorded at the airport reached 29 by noon and 31 by late afternoon, said Environment Canada meteorologist Jennifer Hay. But it wasn’t quite hot enough to beat a 1955 record-high for the day of 31.1.
It’s expected to be in the high 20s again Tuesday and Wednesday, and cool to the low-20s on Thursday with a chance of showers.
Front gate security chief Rebeca Flores was kept busy bidding fairgoers farewell, and handing out yellow wristbands for re-entry.
“Twenty-one years later I’m still here,” said the Victoria-based dental assistant who started working at Western Canada’s oldest continuous agricultural fair when she was 14.
“You see and get to talk to people from all walks of life and I got to see [rock musician] Kim Mitchell last night.”
St. John Ambulance volunteer Michael Dussault, 45, said while it’s been “a warm, sunny weekend here at the fair,” most fairgoers appeared to follow advice for dealing with hot weather.
“They need to stay hydrated, stay in the shade as much as they can, take rest breaks when appropriate and obviously use a sunscreen under these conditions, which is absolutely essential.”
The heat didn’t stop fans from lining up on the sun-baked fairgrounds for midway rides.
“This takes me back to my childhood,” said Beth Tuinstra, 32, while she braved an early afternoon lineup to get onto the hair-raising Himalaya ride. “I used to always go the fair when I was a kid. I do mind the heat, but I will stand in the heat for this.”
Her companion Jason Salisbury, 30, admitted he had a hard time keeping up with her. “The heat’s a bit of a sacrifice, but after this we’re done,” he said. “She just made me do the Zipper and I’m still pretty shaken up by that.”
One animal that knew how to beat the heat was The Donald, a 300-pound, seven-month old pig whose name was inspired by U.S. President Donald Trump.
“He has a little combover and he’s also a little bit of a bully, like Donald Trump,” said Saanich Peninsula 4-H Beef and Swine Club president Madison Kryt, 16, as she showed off her prize pig in a fan-cooled barn. “He’s actually gotten more friendly as he’s gotten older,” said Madison, this year’s overall champion whose swine are raised on Alderly Grange hobby farm. “It’s really good for the pigs because they have lots of room there.”
Over at the horse barn, a congenial quarter horse named Rio got the royal treatment from Rachel Nikkels, 14, who has been riding her “gentle giant” since March.
“As you can see he’s a total sweetheart,” said Rachel’s dad, who jokingly describes his role as the “funder” of the former search-and-rescue horse who lives on the family’s property in Metchosin.
“He loves attention, and he’s super calm,” said Rachel as she brushed Rio and sprayed him with a “show sheen” before her mother, Jeanette, gave him fresh water.
Metchosin 4-H Club member Tayla Sinkewicz, 10, showed off her first and second-place ribbons while cradling a smaller animal — her beloved 10-month-old guinea pig Ramona — in another indoor refuge from the sun.
“At least we have a fan back here,” said Tayla, whose grandparents have brought her to the fair since she was a toddler.
Her mother Sasha was continuing the family tradition, also bringing along newborn Lania, and daughters Summer, 2, and Shaden, 3.
“The kids just love it,” she said.
The fair started on Saturday and concluded on Monday.
