Bee beard contest sponsored by Sanchez Honey

Falher Honey Festival committee noticed an increase in attendance on June 20 and 21. The common consensus is that moving the festival from its usual July appearance allowed people from around the community to make their schedules more accommodating to the event. "I couldn't believe how many people there were," says Honey Festival organizer Anne Lanctot. "It was really nice watching everyone having such a great time." Lanctot explains that the committee had chosen to switch the dates to an earlier month to catch families before they left on holiday for summer holidays. The festival included a variety of events that catered to many different age groups. Most notable were the addition of a Much Music dance and a country concert featuring artists Jessie Farrell and Gord Bramford. "The concert was really fun," says Lanctot. "We would like to do another concert in the future but will be looking into different types of artists." Lanctot explains that the events did not have the turnout they expected with only about 30 youth at the dance and 300 at the concert. At the festival this year was a mix of children's games that were well received by everyone. "Unfortunately the laser tag games had to be shut down," says Lanctot. "It was far too hot in the area to allow it to run. Kids were coming out of the area drenched with sweat because of the heat." The beer gardens were once again moved just off of Main Street to a tent. Lanctot explains that most people were receptive to the gardens being back in a tent. "Once again the beer gardens were very successful," says Lanctot. "It was a nice place for people to relax after walking around the fair grounds." On Saturday morning the Town of Falher council provided a pancake breakfast for the community. Following the breakfast was the ever-popular Bee Parade. Featured was a float designed by the town withFalher's mascot Beesabeille. There were floats from businesses around town, rescue units, children biking with bee costumes and two horses. First place winner of the parade was the float of Caisse Horizon Credit Union. A barbecue rib supper competition was held on Saturday evening. Four teams participated in the event including Honey Bunny, Norm Cote and family, Neal and Leona Jorgenson and Claudette Caron. Winners of the event were Atinya Roya nd Anchalee Gauthier of Donnelly. The only rule was that the team had to use honey as an ingredient in their ribs. "I would really like to thank everybody who participated, volunteered and organized," sayas Lanctot. "Everything went really well thanks to our great community." Lanctot expects the festival to be held once again in June next year because of the overwhelming success of this year's Hone Festival. "It makes sense to have the festival every year in June," says Lanctot. "The kids are still in school so they can enjoy the educational aspect of the festival, as well as all the fun games that are available."