Haying in the 30’s is back with new attractions added to the popular event, held rain or shine on July 30-31 in Mallaig.
The event has remained popular since its inception in 1999 because it donates money to help people in the local area, noted Haying in the 30’s spokesman Laurier Dechaine.
Unlike many charity organizations with expensive administrations to pay for, 100 per cent of money raised at Haying in the 30’s goes to help cancer victims and their families.
Visitors can’t buy or sell anything at Haying in the 30’s as attractions and food are all by donation.
Volunteers remain a key ingredient to the success of the event and they have been working long and hard in the days leading up to this year’s edition to be sure there is once again an impressive display for visitors. A new shoe repair and harness shop will be featured this year to demonstrate various types of leatherwork. A log building was moved to the village and equipment is being set up to show what a harness and repair shop would have looked like in the 1930’s.
Other attractions include horseshoeing, the shingle mill, grain display, wood splitting, sawmill, blacksmith shop, trapper cabin, rope making, an old time dairy and more. Demonstrations include hay cutting and baling, old-fashioned road construction, well boring, threshing and wagon rides.
Events start Saturday, July 30 at 10:30 a.m., with beef on a bun served at 6 p.m. On Sunday, an interfaith service will be held at 9 a.m. and breakfast will be served from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Gospel entertainment is planned for 10 a.m. till noon.
“It’s almost like taking you back to the 1930s,” said society treasurer Linda Richter. “It will try to demonstrate the typical life and the way they used to do the farm work ... There’s something for everybody.”
For kids, there will be various activities, including butter making, a merry-go-round, a viewing zoo, games and face painting.
Around 3,000 people attended last year and the event raised in excess of $175,000.