Head out to Cumberland this Saturday for a day-long celebration of the harvest season.
Presented by the Cumberland Museum, Blackberries, Apples and Bears features workshops, apple sports and crafts for kids, a mini film festival and more. Walking tours will share the secrets of medicinal plants and herbs, edible wild foods, heritage sites and Cumberland's historic Coal Creek Heritage Park.
Local community groups will also share information about composting, bear awareness, putting the garden to bed, harvest recipes and more.
Blackberries, Apples and Bears also marks the launch of a new temporary exhibit at the museum featuring heritage food-processing artifacts. But the biggest draw of all is the 2011 Cumberland Pie of the Year Contest.
Local pie makers have rolled up their sleeves, dusted off their aprons and pulled out the rolling pins for this incredible competition of pie-making prowess. All the pies will be auctioned off as a fundraiser for the Cumberland Museum and the local organization selected by the blue ribbon winner.
People's Choice judging runs from 11 to 2 and all are welcome to participate. Official judging begins at 3. Last-minute entries may be accepted if you contact the museum by Friday at 5 p.m.
Enjoy tasty treats for the Fall Fair Canteen and bring your surplus apples (and some jars with lids) and make your own apple juice withe old-fashioned apple press.
Community partners for this fun-filled event include the Village of Cumberland, Lush Valley, Our Big Earth, Cumberland Community Schools Society, Seeds Natural Food Market, World Community, Comox Valley Regional District, Citizen Voice Project, and Centennial Rotary.
All activities run from 9 a.m. till 4 p.m. Local stores will also be offering in-store specials like free apple cider samples, free pumpkins and product discounts.
For a complete schedule and other information about the Cumberland Museum. go to www.cumberlandmuseum.ca.
— Cumberland Museum