Pirjo Raits
Sooke News Mirror
Sooke is one of those places where food and art intertwine pretty easily. With that in mind, the Sooke Region Food CHI Society is holding a Food Art Apple Fest on September 28.
The idea is for artists to create a food-related art piece inspired by something edible from the Sunriver Community Gardens. There is also space for vendors selling locally made products and a pie auction.
Artists are encouraged to come down to the garden and get inspired by all of the vegetables, flowers, fruit and people who grow things. Plein air painters can come and set up their easels and enjoy the colours, textures and atmosphere at the community garden.
Weavers can be inspired by the colours and photographers can be just plain inspired. Any medium of art is acceptable although the price of the piece cannot exceed $100.
As this is a fundraiser, 30 per cent of the price will go to the society for the orchard fund at the community garden.
“It’s a harvest celebration,” said Phoebe Dunbar, “it’s a celebration of the orchard.”
The apple fest is replacing the annual harvest dinner which was held at the garden.
“Everyone loved the harvest feast but there was no budget for tents in case of rain,” said Dunbar.
The vendors can sell anything related to the harvest and they are not limited to apples. Examples are items such as fruit leathers, jams, jellies, chutneys, and butters. Space is limited to 18 vendors and they need to bring their own set up (tables/chair, cash). Priority will be given to Sooke region vendors first, so early registration is encouraged. Nancy Bennett will be handling that aspect of the Apple Fest. She can be reached through email at: nvbennett@shaw.ca. The deadline for vendor applications is Monday, Sept. 22.
Local chanteuse Marjorie Baskerville is taking charge of the pie auction. People are asked to bring a pie as admission to the event.
“It’s the community celebrating the harvest,” said Baskerville. “I love the idea.”
If you can’t bring a pie, bring a donation to the Sooke Food Bank.
The whole event is about having some fun around food, art and pies and as Baskerville said, “There are so many creative people in this community.”
The event takes place from 1 to 5 p.m., Sunday, September 28, rain or shine. The Sunriver Community Garden is located at 2380 Phillips Road.
For more information contact: info@sookefoodchi.ca.