We save most events for our regular Thursday weekend guide, but every once in awhile an event comes along that’s special enough to get its own shout out. This Sunday’s Avalon Dairy 4th Annual Country Fair is one of them. Why? Well, it was the highlight of our September – indeed our whole summer -  last year, and we have high hopes for it again this year.

The dairy’s acreage includes a large field with plenty of space for dancing, which is the centre of the day’s entertainment including Charlotte Diamond, Nearly Neil, Elvis Gold and Johnny Vallis. And while Charlotte Diamond is ostensibly there for the kids, Nearly Neil was extremely popular with the under five set as well.

Once you’ve had your fill of rockin’ out, you can also partake of the petting zoo, free ice cream, antique farm equipment displays, tours of the Vancouver School Board nursery and the dairy and more.  Don’t pack a picnic lunch for this event either, instead enjoy the Gizeh Shriners Concession which boasts prices from the 1960s. And this year they’re introducing a country farm market.

There’s also a little Avalon retail store on location where you can stock up on their milk, cheese, eggs, butter, yogurt and ice cream at prices better than those at your local grocery store. The store’s cash only, so fill up your wallet and make sure there’s a cooler in your car.

We can’t quite pin down what made the fair so magical last year, but we think it has a lot to do with finding an unexpected slice of country without leaving the city, buying our dairy products right from the source and lots of good, old-fashioned fun. The free ice cream didn’t hurt either.

4th Annual Avalon Country Fair
September 7th, 10:30 am – 5:00 pm, 5805 Wales St
www.avalondairy.com