Liam Kimm tries his hand ‘driving’ an antique tractor at the Luxton Spring Fair last year. During this year’s Luxton Spring Fair, May 18 to 21, a new shed will be unveiled, which will be used to house antique tractors for the public to view year-round. (Gazette file photo)

A new addition has come to the Luxton Fairgrounds in Langford to help celebrate the municipality’s agricultural roots – just in time for the Luxton Spring Fair.

The Metchosin Farmers Institute, an organization with the goal of promoting agriculture and agricultural activities in the area that owns the Luxton Fairgrounds, recently completed the construction of a shed to display antique farm equipment on the fairgrounds.

The 23-foot by 54-foot building, located adjacent to the baseball diamond, will be used to house five to six of the farmers institute’s roughly 20 antique tractors, as well as other farm equipment. It will be open to the public year-round.

“It’s to help the public see more of what we do on the grounds during the year,” said Ian McKenzie, with the farmers institute, noting some tractors date as far back as the late 1800s up to the 1950s and are from the western communities.

“It’s to promote the history of our area and certainly a community asset to be able to say what has gone on in the western communities over the years. This is a very important part of our heritage.”

Planning for the project began more than a year ago. In previous years, the machinery, which also includes plows, harrows and equipment like hay rakes and baylor’s, were stored in a building on the grounds until the Luxton Fair.

After receiving a $24,000 grant from the British Columbia Museums Association, that money was used to purchase the materials needed to construct the shed. From there, it was a community effort said McKenzie, adding many suppliers gave discounts on materials and volunteers put in countless hours to build it.

Now, their hard work has come to fruition. There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony to unveil the newest addition during the Luxton Spring Fair May 18 to 21.

“This is such a big plus to our community,” McKenzie said. “To be able to show off some of our material rather than have it tucked away is seen as a positive thing for the grounds.”

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In addition to the new shed and being able to view the roughly 20 antique tractors and equipment, residents of all ages can enjoy the usual favourites at the spring fair including midway and carnival games, an assortment of vendor booths, the heritage museum and demonstrations from the Vancouver Island Blacksmith. The Langford Legion will also be running a concession.

“There’s so many families that have moved into our area,” said long-time committee member Sandy West. “It would be a perfect opportunity for them to find out what history we have here on the grounds, and of course the rides that kids love.”

The Luxton Spring Fair begins on Friday, May 18 and runs until Monday, May 21. The fair runs from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Midway rides run from 3 to 11 p.m. on Friday, 1 to 11 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and 1 to 6 p.m. on Monday.

Admission is free and wristbands for the midway rides range from $35 to $40.

Parking is by donation and located at the corner of Sooke and Luxton roads.

People are asked to leave dogs at home. For more information visit luxtonspringfair.ca.

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kendra.wong@goldstreamgazette.com

Luxton Fair