MALLAIG – Organizers of Haying in the 30’s invite everyone to take a step into the past, while coming together to help those fighting for their future.
The annual event, which includes a reenactment of life back in the 1930s, will return to the organization’s site near Mallaig over the Heritage Day long weekend on Aug. 2 and 3.
Visitors will be able to wander through various buildings depicting life in the early 1930s, as well as having opportunities to watch live, in-person demonstrations of skills and occupations of the ‘30s.
“There's entertainment everywhere throughout the grounds,” says Fernande Jean, president of Haying in the 30s Cancer Support Society. The weekend is free for all to enjoy.
Admission, parking, camping, food, and entertainment are all free of charge. Guests are simply encouraged to donate what they can, and every dollar collected goes directly to helping cancer patients pay for expenses like lodging, fuel, and meals while undergoing treatment.
Small expenses while going through cancer treatment can add up, says Jean, and “If we can ease some of their financial burdens, then it makes what we’re doing worthwhile.”
How it started
Haying in the 30’s was started in 1999 by Edgar Corbiere and his wife, Cecil. They are also Jean’s parents.
Jean says her parents were inspired to create the annual event as a way to give back.
“My brother had cancer years ago,” and the family had to travel to Vancouver for the treatment, recalls Jean.
They ended up staying at a Ronald McDonald House, “But we still had to pay for taxis to get to the hospital . . . pay for food,” and other expenses.
“But the community came together and helped my mom and dad,” donating funds to allow Edgar and Cecil to stay with their son.
“Dad said if one day, he could repay them back, [that] he would,” says Jean. “And he did.”
That’s how Haying in the 30’s came to life. Now in its 27th year, the annual event is still going strong and getting bigger each year.
Over 7,500 people have been helped financially since Haying in the 30's began. Over $350,000 was raised by Haying in the 30’s in 2024.
Everyone invited
Jean and the Haying the 30’s Cancer Support Society invites everyone from near and far to come out over the weekend.
“There's nothing like this. It's a very lively, fun atmosphere,” she says.
The event also reminds everyone that they are not alone in their battle against cancer.
“Everyone is touched by cancer . . . personally or someone close they know,” and the event provides that sense of belonging and bond to many people, says Jean.
“It’s a good experience to just bond and heal,” even among strangers, she adds.
Preparations
The society and its many volunteers have been gearing up for the event since May, but there is still work that needs to be done.
Every Wednesday, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., volunteers go to the site for “Wednesday Work Bees,” lending a hand to get the site ready for the thousands of visitors that are expected.
Those interested in volunteering can head to the Haying in the 30’s website to get in touch with the organization.
“Between all of us, we will find you a job,” Jean says. “There's always something to do. Buildings have to get cleaned up and prepared. The kitchen has to get cleaned out. Tables have to get moved. There’s lots of stuff.”
People can also volunteer to help out during the actual event.
“We can always use the help, whether it’s parking or in the kitchen. Those are kind of the two biggest places that we need help with on the weekend,” says Jean.
Volunteers
Jean thanked all the volunteers for making the event possible.
“Nobody gets paid. Every volunteer here is a true volunteer,” she says. “Not one penny goes out to anybody other than the donations that we receive that go out to cancer victims.”
Even those who will be manning the attractions, like the cooking cowboys, the blacksmiths, the woodworkers and more, are not getting paid and are working for free to educate people about life in the 1930s.
“I feel very proud of all the volunteers that are here that come out every week to give their time, their efforts, their gifts, and their talents to make this event work,” says Jean.
