Message from the 2025 Tlell Fall Fair Board

We at the Tlell Fall Fair Board greatly appreciate everyone who made the 2024 Fall Fair another success.
It was one of the top attended fairs in decades.
The Tlell Fall Fair, to many people who attend, is a one-day event. That is kind of true. We have our big
day, the day with the food, games, exhibits and of course our live music, but the day before is also an
important day and is in fact what makes us a Fair.
The Saturday is when most of the exhibits arrive at the fairgrounds and get judged at a provincial judging
standard. We have our volunteer category coordinators and judges review all of the exhibits and award
scores to each item. If the items meet the scoring standards and criteria, they are given a first, second or
third ribbon. Once all the items are judged in each category then the score for each item from each
exhibitor is added together and the exhibitor with the most points win the first prize, second most point
for second prize and then the same for the third place. Only two categories are not judged the day
before, Livestock and Poultry. They are judged the morning of the fair and the same process is followed.
That is pretty much it for the judging side of the fair.
There is something else many people don't know. The Tlell Fall Fair is part of the Graham Island East
Coast Farmers Institute. The Institute is based in Tlell and has had members from most parts of the
islands for over 100 years. The original base of the Institute was in Lawnhill and that is where they held
the original Fall Fairs.
We want to thank all the volunteers who have put in so much hard work over the years to keep the Fall
Fair going. You are the lifeblood of the event. Without you, we could not get ready for the Fair. We are
always looking for more volunteers to help with the organizing, setup and operation of the fair. New
ideas are always welcome. Last but certainly not least, to all of the Donators, Supporters and Exhibitors
of the fair. Without you we couldn’t keep the fair operational.
The Tlell Fall Fair is all about Agriculture and everything involved with it. We are not just about winning
prizes, ribbons and showing off what your garden can produce, or how ornate you made your last quilt.
It is about sharing knowledge of how you got your garden to thrive, about becoming more sustainable,
producing our own natural healthy food. It is spreading the knowhow of making it yourself. The Fair is a
small part of the Agricultural community on Haida Gwaii, and through our parent organization, the
Graham Island East Coast Farmers Institute, we are an integral part.
Agriculture is one of the fastest growing (Pun intended) lifestyle and business happenings on Haida
Gwaii. This is evident by the number of vendors and patrons at the Farmers Markets on Haida Gwaii.
Some of those Market vendors will also be at this year’s Fall Fair. The Tlell Farmer’s Market will be set up
at the fair to provide the attendees with all their fine products.
As in years past we have a theme and this year’s Fair Theme is “LIVE LIFE IN FULL BLOOM”. So, what can
you think of for your exhibits that represent the theme. Let see what you come up with.
As mentioned above, lets really BLOOM this year and make the Fair another success. See you at the Tlell
Fall Fair.
​
Douglas Louis, President, Tlell Fall Fair Board​