33rd Annual Grand Terrace Country Fair

This past Saturday, Grand Terrace held a traditional holiday event. The 33rd Annual Country Fair event kicked off at 9 a.m. at the Grand Terrace Lions Club Community Center. Community members and organizations were invited to set booths up to sell their homemade products and nik-naks. “This event is primarily made for the community of Grand Terrace to show off their talents and share them with the rest of the community,” Ann Petta, President of the Historical and Cultural Activities Committee, shared. Grand Terrace Friends of the Library were also at the event, selling discounted used books ranging from only 25 cents to $1. They also had a short sale where attendees could purchase an entire bag of books for only $5. “The money we earn will go to buying new books for the library,” GT Friends of the Library Treasurer Barbara Khacherian said. The Historical and Cultural Activities Committee were the ones putting on the event, and were also selling refreshments including drinks, chips, and donuts. Grand Terrace locals were invited to enter their chili and baked goods into the chili cook off and baking contest. “After the food is judged, it is then sold by the piece at a reasonable price,” Petta said. “Francis Carter (member of the Historical and Cultural Committee) is the one who deals with the baked goods. She’s done it for many years, and she knows what she’s doing here.” Judges of this contest were five community members of prominent groups and organizations including the Lions Club, Chamber of Commerce and Grand Terrace Woman’s Club. There are multiple categories for the contests: chili, cookies, cake, salsa, bread, and pie, with only first and second place winners. For the chili cook off, coming in first place was Richard Loder, and second place was Dennis Rosenkild. First place for the cake contest was Lydia Rogers, and second was a tie between Dawn Irey and Joyce Bailey. The first place winner for the pie contest was Joyce Lefter, and second place was a tie between Bobby Robles and Lydia Rogers. The first place winner for the cookies contest was a tie between Susan Bailey and Dawn Irey. Susan Bailey also made a different cookie that came in second as well. Sue Bailey took first and second place for the salsa she made; having made three different types of salsa. The only individual to make bread was Marina Rojas, who took first and second places in that category. “We have the big book sale and all the proceeds really benefit the library,” Petta stated. Pauline Grant, chairman of the Historical and Cultural Committee, mentioned, “We usually have this event on the first Saturday of November but we changed the date because of Halloween this year… it’s usually more crowded.” “It’s really nice that residents come out and participate and all the volunteers that help out like the Leos from the Lion Club and the Boy Scouts, it’s really nice,” she added. One of the Historical and Cultural Activities Committee members had her very own booth set up showcasing her art. She had paintings on postcards, pictures in frames, and posters. The Chamber of Commerce booth was set up right by the Grand Terrace Woman’s Club and the Lions Club booths. A miniature train display for kids of all ages to play with was also out. Grant mentioned, “This event is mainly about bringing the community together.”