Haying in the 30’s raises nearly $250,000 in 21st celebration

The biggest event in Mallaig feels like you’ve gone through a time machine.

The Haying in the 30’s Cancer Support Society held the annual fundraiser event held in Mallaig and celebrated their 21st weekend of activities on Aug. 3-4.

The agricultural bash simulates haying and rural life from 80 years ago. It sees hundreds of campers descend onto the grounds at no cost, just donations to support victims of cancer.

This year, they raised just over $247,000 alone from the weekend.

While donating towards a good cause, the idea is to take people back in time, said organizer Marc Dallaire.

“If people have never attended the event, the whole purpose is to have a pleasant date back in time. The whole effort is completed by volunteers who give up countless hours and devoted to the cause,” said Dallaire.

The society is prodigious in their yearly fundraising efforts.

In 2018, the charity had their second most successful year on record, raising $452,900 to help almost 500 families.

Haying in the 30’s parade

The festival begins with a parade of 45-50 teams of horses in their best harness gear and wagons, followed by statements by the President Martin Naundorf and the Haying in the 30’s board.

Lakeland MP Shannon Stubbs also spoke at the event at an impromptu “question period.”

“I’m always blown away by the core small group of dedicated volunteers and what’s been built here over the last 21 years. That’s part of why I’m here today,” said Stubbs.

Stubbs had previously made a member’s statement in the House of Commons about the founder of Haying in the 30’s Edgar Corbiere who passed away in April of 2018, which she relayed at the event.

“I’ve talked about this organization in the House of Commons and just this past week we brought out a reporter from Quebec and he spent two days in the riding, and it’s a huge riding, but I brought him here because I’m so proud and amazed by all the work that’s done here by the people and throughout the region to support Haying in the 30’s.”

Attendees get to look at staffed homestead homes, trappers cabins, knife-sharpening tutorials, a saloon, blacksmith shop, old thrashing demonstrations and corn milling and a nightly hoedown with live music.

Over 300 volunteers help prepare the weekend in a total effort that’s helped over 5000 families since the charity’s inception.

“If that’s not a testament to what we’re doing, I don’t know what is.”