The rain stopped, the sun came out, and so did the visitors last weekend for the annual Cowichan Fall Fest in Chemainus.
The community event was a big hit with folks attending from Chemainus as well as Victoria, Nanaimo and beyond.
Money was raised for Harvest House food bank through a chili cook-off that was so popular, the delicious chili was all sold out within a couple of hours. Attending for the first time, Chemainus residents Cole and his daughter Myla, adorably dressed as a scarecrow and a tiny lion, had a great time and vowed to come earlier next year to get some chili too.
The sold out chili raised "a good amount of funds" for Harvest House, according to organizer Krystal Adams from the Chemainus BIA and Justin Farrugia took top place in the chili-cooking contest.
Competition was fierce but friendly at the pie-baking contest where there were 12 apple pies and five pumpkin pies with Julie Peters claiming the blue ribbon in the apple category and Ria Dunnewold taking victory in the pumpkin category.
Cornhole champions Dave Clausen and Kelly Giesbrecht, calling themselves the "Soft Pour Corn Throwers", made it a memorable tournament.
There were plenty of activities for kids with games and an Imagination Station creative space and a bouncy castle while attendees of all ages scared themselves in the haunted house at the Chemainus Valley Museum and took horse-drawn carriage rides.
“This year’s Fall Festival was a resounding success," said Adams. "Seeing so many people enjoying downtown Chemainus and raising funds for Harvest House was a huge highlight. It’s exactly what community events are all about.”
