Bill Slavin
Gas up the RV! Sharpen your carving tools! The Zucchini Apocalypse is about to sweep over Millbrook!
On Sunday, September 13, from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Millbrook once more hosts the annual Zucchini Festival. Held on the banks of Baxter Creek opposite the arena, the festival is a fun-filled afternoon of zucchini-related activities as we slash, smash, serenade and fricassee our way through a mountain of zucchinis.
This year’s festival theme is “Village of the Dam”, and festival goers will be facing the Zucchini Apocalypse with a full slate of zombie/zucchini themed events.
The “Floating Dead” Zucchini Boat Races begin at 2 p.m. sharp. Dozens of zucchini boats will be raced in heats down the treacherous waters of Baxter Creek until the final race when three survivors will be named. Arrive early as the carving and decorating table, opening at 12:30, will close at 1:45 so everyone can enjoy the boat races.
All are welcome to enter the Zucchini Carving and Decorating Contest, whether it is your boat (don’t worry, judging will happen before it disappears to the bottom of the creek!) or a non-floating entry. Special consideration will be given this year for zombie-inspired creations with prizes handed out in the Junior (up to 9 years), Senior (10 to 16) and Family/Adult categories.
Two events give you a chance to get into the zucchini action early. The Zucchini “Dead Poets” Laureate Contest will crown a new poet laureate for 2015-16. Write your best zucchini-inspired verse and present it at the festival – last year’s Zucchini Poet Laureate Mark Hamel will crown both a senior and junior poet. Check out the web site for previous years’ entries.
The “To Die For” Zucchini Cooking Contest celebrates the zucchini in cuisine, as local aspiring chefs compete to create the best sweet or savoury dish, with sample tastings immediately following the judging. And “Lose Your Head” Zucchini Bobbing with prizes, Zombie Face Painting and a full playlist of zucchini-related music courtesy of Relic’s Boat will round out the afternoon. Of course, it’s also time to harvest your prize-winning monster zucchini for the Biggest Zuke Contest.
Some contestants from last year launch their zucchini boats in friendly competition. Get ready for the next Zucchini Festival which takes place on September 13th across the street from the Millbrook Arena. Photo: Supplied.
New this year is a government-sponsored demonstration event, so top-secret that it can only be referred to by its initials, T.R.E.B.U.C.H.E.T. Millions of dollars of public money have reportedly been poured into this anti-zombie zucchini device, the majority on its acronym, which leaked sources say stands for: Top Secret (of course!) Remotely Effective Ballistic device Utilizing Courgette (because its a French word) High Elevation Technology. Rumours are circulating that it is a salad.
The day ends with the Awards Ceremony, followed by the piping of the zucchinis up to the millpond where we rid ourselves of both zucchinis and zombies in one fell swoop with the “Better than an Axe” Giant Zucchini Slingshot Finale.
A participant launches a zucchini in the Giant Zucchini Slingshot competition. Photo: Supplied.
The Mill Committee of the Historical Society will be launching its fund-raising drive at this year’s festival, raising money for the construction of a new foundation and repair of our much-loved Needler’s Mill, sadly boarded up and unable to serve as our festival stage this year. Donations will be much appreciated. Also once again participating will be the Millbrook and area Garden Club with their annual Fall Plant Sale, the Millbrook Old School Family Centre with their delicious Bake Sale, and the Shin Do Kan Judo club serving up veggie burgers, hotdogs, and hamburgers with marinated zucchini garnishing options.
All events are free and zucchinis are available, donated by Farmers Dell, Campbellcroft, for carving and tossing. The festival organizers are also asking for donations of previously-loved sports and other trophies that can be re-purposed as zucchini trophies for next year’s festival. Please bring them along!
For more information, visit the festival web site at http://millbrookzucchinifest.blogspot.ca/.
