As the sun came out today, so did more and more people to the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Country Fest, which kicked off this morning.

Thousands of cowboys and cowgirls enjoyed music, rides, games, food, roller derby, live animals, and so much more.

Fair manager Lorraine Bates took in the first culinary competition, and hopes it is the start of something big.

“As an agricultural association we’ve been educating with animals, and now we can focus on people too,” she said while in the backyard farming area.

“I want it too include every high school next year, so everyone has a chance to participate and earn the $500,” Bates said, referring to the money each culinary student who competes is given.

“It does my heart good. Doing anything for the kids,” she added.

In the backyard garden area fairgoers can learn to compost, check out worms and mushrooms, and keep chickens, or keep bees.

“People want to eat local and grow local – they are more conscious about what they eat than ever,” Bates explained. “This is about teaching people how to produce in their own backyards.”

The fair tomorrow as well from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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