By Jamie Bennett
Star Staff Writer
CORNER BROOK Kate-Lynn Hann was all smiles Saturday as she proudly showed her father the tiny starfish in her hands at the Agrifoods Garden Show 2012.
The chance to touch marine life, view hatching chicks and take in a petting farm with cows and pigs were several of the attractions which made the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture-hosted event such a treat for the hundreds of children on hand Saturday at the Pepsi Centre.
The show featured exhibits which showcased the provinces entire agriculture industry, from fresh fruits and vegetables and local meats to goods knitted from Alpaca wool.
It was the second time the event was held in the city.
Kate-Lynn’s father, Jeremy Lowe, said his five-year-old daughter enjoyed seeing the starfish, as well as the cows up close, and said he enjoyed the chance for her to learn about local agriculture in such a fun environment.
“This is awesome. It’s a great place for the kids to get together and learn,” Lowe said. “There’s so few places in Corner Brook where you can do that, so this is a lot of fun.”
Two-year old Hope Jesseau-McKinnon was another child amazed at the chance to see live animals up close.
“She’s been learning about animals in books so to see them in person was amazing to her,” Hope’s mother, Christine Jesseau said. “She was over to see all the animals and she loved the pigs, they were her favourite.”
While her first priority was ensuring her daughter had the chance to take in all the exhibits, Jesseau said she was eager to get a closer look at some of the huge-array of exhibits herself.
“I haven’t taken any time for myself yet, but that’s what we’re going to do next,” she said. “I can’t wait to go learn and read everything. It’s very nice here, I love it.”
Standing on the floor of the Pepsi Centre, looking at the 12-bustling store fronts on display, co-ordinator Jamie Warren said he was pleased with the turnout at the show. He said eggs were sold out and all the vendors seemed to be moving plenty of their products.
To him, a show like this is a good chance to show people where our food comes from and just what to do with that food, such as tips on canning and bottling, as well as butchery demonstrations from local chefs.
He said in recent years there has been more of a focus on eating foods that are in season locally, something which is stressed by producers at the event.
“It’s important to eat as the seasons go,” he said. “Eating root vegetables as the fall goes along and having local strawberries when they are in season, not all-year round. Just getting used to eating that way is something more and more people are doing.”
