by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative
One of Cottam’s oldest traditions includes gathering at Ridgeview Park to enjoy – and learn – about everything related to equine partners and being an equestrian.
This year’s 59th Annual Cottam Fall Fair and Horse Festival was hosted on Sunday, offering community members a long list of fun activities sure to attract the attention of anyone visiting the event.
The Rotary Club of Cottam hosts this event every year as a way to not only bring the community together, but fundraise for its many local and global initiatives, like supporting local Scouting and International Rotary’s goal to eradicate Polio.
Activities kicked-off at an early 8am with a pancake breakfast. Visitors were then afforded the opportunity to peruse a vendor area, watch horse- related demonstrations, and participate in a horseshoe pitch competition.
Community members then lined County Road 34 to enjoy the annual parade, which began at Trinity Anglican Church then proceeded back to the event grounds.
In the afternoon, event goers were able to participate in a chili cook-off, enjoy a Rotary barbeque, and listen to live music entertainment. Youths onsite were not only able to take advantage of free pony rides, but were able to jump around in an inflatable bouncy castle.
Members of the Rotary Club of Cottam work hard leading up to – and at the event – to successfully offer the annual Fall Fair & Horse Festival to the community.
C r y s t a l Heinrichs, President of the Rotary Club of Cottam, was very pleased with the turn out, with foot traffic through the event grounds solid throughout the event. With the weather forecast predicting rain for Sunday, she was pleased with the sunshine that they were able to enjoy instead.
Due to the quality of the event, this year’s Fall Fair and Horse Festival attracted more vendors than it has in the past and more volunteers, including many youth volunteers, which was critical in executing the event.
In planning the festival, the Rotary Club tries to make as many of the kids’ activities as it can free for families. In the future, she would like to connect more with the local equestrian community to try to get more horse-related activities onsite.
The Rotary Club of Cottam, she noted, is celebrating 83-years of service above self this year. To try to attract more interest in the Club, Heinrichs said Rotary members – for the first time – set up their own booth at the festival, where individuals were able to purchase a bottle of water by donation, provide youths an opportunity to paint magical horses, and adults were able to connect with members to learn how much fun being a part of the service club can be.
The Rotary booth also allowed members to plug its annual Christmas Tree Sale, another big fundraiser for the club, that will take place leading up to the holiday season.
