Haying in the 30s has been a Lakeland success story since 1999. Far beyond its stated mission of helping people dealing with cancer, it has brought out the best in people—regional residents have been supporting each other by volunteering, donating, and coming together annually as friends, neighbours, and families.
Thousands of people congregated in Mallaig again this past weekend. Displays and activities began with an opening ceremony and parade Saturday morning, and ran continuously into the night. Everything started again at 9:00 Sunday morning, finally winding down after 4:00 pm.
The 80-acre site takes on the look of a small Alberta town from the 1930s, and the techniques and crafts of the time are on display. Agriculture is the centrepiece—oldtimers show how farm work used to be accomplished by hand, by horsepower, by steam, or by early tractors.
Other displays show how commerce used to be conducted. Some people got their hair cut in an old style barber chair, while the vintage General Store, dental clinic, fur trader, NWMP detachment, blacksmith shop, and other storefronts gave a taste of life from not so very long ago.
Maybe the biggest throwback to a simpler time is the huge community effort behind Haying in the 30s. Everything to set up and operate the site, and everything to feed the thousands of visitors, is donated. With no cash overhead, organizers are able to run the weekend on a good old-fashioned honour system.
There are no ticket sales, there is no charge to enjoy the many activities, to enjoy a burger for lunch, or to sample the offerings from the various displays. And there is nobody there with their hand out reminding you to donate.
Donation sites are clearly marked, easy to find, and happy to issue you a receipt. Donate what you’d like, pay what you can—every penny goes directly to people who are dealing with cancer.
In 1999, the event’s inaugural year, the Haying In The 30s Cancer Support Society raised $3,500 and was able to help a dozen families. In the ensuing years, they have helped more than 5,000 people offset the costs associated with getting cancer treatments.
Families will typically face expenses such as travel costs for treatment, medications, or lost income. Haying in the 30s will give patients a one-time payment of $1,000 that they may use as they see fit.
Last year Haying in the 30s collected $320,000 in donations over the course of the weekend. This year’s figures are not yet available.
Photos by JEFF GAYE
