We are a registered non-profit society, with roots back to 1913, when district farmers held the first Coombs Fall Fair to showcase local food crops and livestock. Although the name has changed over the years, the mandate of our organization has remained the same, and our presence in the community is growing.
The Oceanside area our association operates in is bounded by School District 69, and includes the communities of Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Coombs, Errington, French Creek, Hilliers, Whiskey Creek, Qualicum Bay, Bowser, Horne Lake, Deep Bay, and Nanoose Bay. The Association is governed by a volunteer board of directors, a great group of people who bring a wide variety of valuable skills to each new project, and a firm commitment to the purpose of the association.
Through careful management, over the past 91 years the Association has added to its holdings, and owns the fair grounds and buildings . We even lease, for a nominal fee, a portion of our land with a building to the Coombs Volunteer Fire Department. We are an organization with an extremely good track record and solid community support.
The Purpose of our Association is to:
a) to foster community spirit;
b) to promote cultivation of the soil and general development of agricultural resources;
c) to facilitate, directly or through other associations, the education and personal development of people of all ages in agricultural and farming activities;
d) to conduct an agricultural fair and exhibition.
A few of the groups that benefit from our presence in the local community include 4-H clubs, the Coombs Farmers' Institute, Silver Spurs Riding Club, Coombs Boy Scouts, square dancers, and ACES, who host the Halloween candy walk and the Coombs "Just for the Heck of It" Parade. See our Links page for more information on these and other groups.
We are grateful to the many individuals and businesses who have supported our organization and acitivities over the years. Special thanks go to Dob City Bingo and the BC Gaming Commission for ongoing funding. This support, coupled with our ownership of just over 10 acres of land, presents a great opportunity for future planning of community events and activities. We welcome you to join us and become part of the team that is shaping the future of our organization, our property and our role in our community.
Our Board meets at 7:30 pm at the fair grounds office on the third Tuesday of the month from April to October, and in January for our annual general meeting. Please join us!
Arrowsmith Agricultural Association
Board Members
President - Doreen Patterson 752-9366
Secretary - Donna Furneaux 752-9935
1st Vice-President -
Richard de Candole 752-5384
2nd Vice-President - Suzin Crosby 248-2463
Fair Manager & Treasurer - Janet Boley 752-9757
Fair Secretary -
Sheila Pickard 248-2317
Fair Book Secretary -
Deborra Schug Adkins 758-0851
Office phone & fax: 248-4478
PO Box 195, Coombs V0R 1M0