Who ever said chicken poop isn’t lucky?
One of the brood running around Mary Gidney’s yard will be the unwitting judge for chicken bingo — just part of quirky, old-fashioned fun for Metchosin Day.
People who are up for a little gambling can wager on which number a chicken will poop on first for the 50-50 pot.
“Usually they poop in about 15 minutes, but who knows?” said Gidney, the co-ordinator for Metchosin Day and one of several dozen volunteers. “Last year they got tired of waiting so they put a second chicken (on the bingo board).”
Metchosin Day started as a centennial celebration in 1967 and became an annual event now held at the Metchosin municipal grounds on the second Sunday in September.
“Metchosin Day is our day that represents what Metchosin is all about. It’s a country fair and it’s free,” Gidney said. “More than 5,000 people come each year, that’s more people than are in Metchosin.”
Most of Sunday’s activities have been grandfathered in as tradition, but this year a new event has been added. A BMX and mountain bike jam will take place at the bike park in front of the municipal hall.
Philip Manning, 19, helped build the park a few years ago and wants to promote it to local youth. He is running the jam from noon to 5 p.m. and anyone can enter, as long as they have a helmet.
“The park doesn’t get used as much as it should,” said Manning, who loves to rip around the park on his mountain bike.
Riders of all ages and abilities are encouraged to take part in the jam. The jam isn’t a competition though, just an excuse for people to come out and ride, Manning said.
Kicking off traditional events of the day is the five-kilometre run at 8 a.m. Winners in each adult category will be awarded a locally grown vegetable as their prize.
“We just thought why not give people something they could use?” Gidney said. About 100 people participate in the run each year.
The municipal grounds will be booming with entertainment from live musical acts throughout the day. A beer garden will be set up near the stage serving beer, wine and cider.
When searching for the musical talent, “we tried to find a Metchosin connection,” Gidney said.
At 11 a.m. children are encouraged to bring their furry family members to be part of the pet show.
“You just get a variety of animals,” Gidney said, such as mini horses, rats, chickens on leashes, dogs and birds enter the competition.
Throughout the day there will also be children’s games, a dog show, clowns as well as gymnastic and taekwondo demonstrations.
The equestrian riding ring will also be hosting a slew of activities such as demos from Rocky Mountain Horses and Canadian Sport horses.
Sticking with the rural theme people can purchase tickets to take a hay ride around the municipal grounds or ride in back hoe. Face painting, sheep sheering and blacksmith displays will also entertain people young and old.
Members of Scouts Canada will be operating a food tent. They will serve a pancake breakfast starting at 8 a.m. and at 11 a.m. they will switch to traditional fair fare such as hot dogs, hamburgers and fries.
At 5 p.m. the day will wrap up with the beloved Metchosin-raised lamb and salmon barbecue.
A photography competition will be held in the Metchosin Community House. Inside the municipal chambers people can enter homemade cakes and pies and garden produce for judging.
The Metchosin municipal grounds are located at 4450 Happy Valley Road. Metchosin Day festivities run from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sept. 11.
Admission and parking are free.
reporter@goldstreamgazette.com