By 1 p.m. on Aug. 3, it was clear by the crowd of people gathered near Mallaig that this year's Haying in the 30s event was bigger than any in the organization's 14-year history.
Following the two-day long weekend event, which raises money to support people undergoing cancer treatment, it was also clear by the dollars raised that the work being done by the local non-profit is as important as it has always been.
Between 5,000 and 6,000 people visited the Haying in the 30's site on Aug. 3 and 4, helping bring in about $212,000 over the two days, says Haying in the 30's president Lorne Buryn.
“This weekend was fantabulous,” he says, a few days after the event wrapped up, adding, “We had lots of people, we served lots of free food. It was just a great weekend all around.”
Last year's Haying in the 30's had also been hailed as the biggest yet, with about 4,000 people in attendance and $197,000 raised during the 2012 long weekend. The 2013 event proved to be even bigger.
“I really believe that people are supporting it because the money gets back to the right place . . . The money gets back to people that need it for treatment,” says Buryn.
He is adamant about expressing his appreciation to the hundreds of volunteers who offer their time to prepare the site, and also cook food, arrange parking, bring out their teams of horses, and offer a variety of other services. About 200 to 300 people volunteered with Haying in the 30's this year.
Many of the volunteers are local, but there are also people who come in from all corners of the province to help out.
Every year, organizers offer attendees something new, and this year's Haying in the 30's featured four new buildings. The new attractions were very well received, says Buryn.
Being that it's an outdoor event, the weather can also play a role in its success.
“The sunshine helped us,” says Buryn, referring to the warm temperatures experienced on both days.
Area resident Kelsie Petersen says this year was her second time attending Haying in the 30's with her young family.
“The kids loved seeing the horses in the parade, and watching all the demonstrations like the blacksmith and the sawmill,” she says, adding, both her sons were able to ride on the ponies at the merry-go-round and her two-year-old “howled when he had to get off.”
Kelsie and her husband Aaron enjoyed the music at the main hall and at the church, along with seeing all the antiques on display and the volunteers dressed up in costume.
“It was a great day, and we will be back next year,” says Petersen.
Horse-drawn wagon rides, face painting, food, music, a petting zoo, along with demonstrations and displays of techniques used on the farm in the 1930s were on display throughout the weekend. Everything offered at the event is free, and donations are collected at a special centre on the site.
Records show that since Haying in the 30's was founded in 1999 by Mallaig area resident Edgar Corbiere, over 3,500 people undergoing cancer treatment have received help from the organization.
