For certain, the Bearspaw Old Tyme Bench Exhibition salutes our heritage, but it also speaks to today.

Now in its 51st year, the exhibition remains a testimony to the creative and innovative nature of people. It speaks to skills and knowledge that remain valuable and vital no matter what technological advancements are made.

There is still time to submit harvest garden, sewing, canning, hobbies, photos and artwork entries into the fair that is held in conjunction the Cochrane Fair this weekend, Aug. 16-18, at the grounds of the Cochrane and District Agricultural Society, located near the interchange of Hwy. 22 and Hwy. 1A.

Exhibition entries are being accepted Saturday, Aug. 17 between 9 a.m. and 12 noon at the big white tent located in front of the stables at the Ag Grounds. Judging takes place throughout the balance of the day and the tent opens for public viewing at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 18 until after the awards presentations at 4 p.m.

Each year a theme is chosen and this year it's 'Bears and Berries'. There’s a special $100 cash prize for the best interpretation of this theme. All entries, though, aren’t required to revolve around that theme.

No matter the theme, the entire tent is a feast for the eyes to help fuel ideas of your own.

Categories include hay and grain, produce, flowers, domestic arts (culinary, thread arts, quilting), wine and beer, fine arts hobbies and crafts and photography.

Each category is broken into numerous subcategories. For example, there are over 30 categories in photography, divided by topic and age. Everything from Lego, Play Dough and comic strip creations by youth to glasswork, handmade jewelry and woodwork (and yes, Lego is included) for adults account of about 100 categories in hobbies and crafts. Coveted Bearspaw ribbons are awarded in each.

The exhibition includes several special activities and two of the most amusing are the zucchini races and egg toss.

The egg toss remains a fun and challenging game. Partners start at a short distance tossing a raw egg back and forth and the distance grows progressively larger. It continues until spattering eggs leave only one team standing. It starts at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

All the pieces you need are available on-site to assemble your own wheeled zucchini speedster machine. The zucchini racing machines hit the track at 3 p.m. on Sunday.

The Calgary Fiddlers. (Photo/Al Baxter)

The Calgary Fiddlers are the pride and joy of the Calgary region and will be performing at 12:30 p.m. and 2:15 p.m.

The Calgary Fiddlers remains dedicated to developing the musical skills of youth. In addition to touring Alberta, they travel nationally and internationally to promote and celebrate the rich heritage of Canadian fiddling.

Several families with the support of local organizations including the Bearspaw Lions Club, Bearspaw 4H Club, Red Cross and Glendale Women’s Association established the Bearspaw Old Tyme Bench Exhibition on July 15, 1969.

The first fair was held on Sept 6, 1969 at Rudolph's Barn, and has continued to take place every year on the Saturday prior to Labour Day.

By 1974, the fair had grown so much that it was moved to the Cochrane Arena. In 1978 it joined CDAS. It has been held in conjunction with the Cochrane Fair since 2015.

More information, including the 2019 entry catalogue and registration form, can be found at www.bearspawfair.com.