Festival's pomp grounded in reality

The 75th Annapolis Valley Apple Blossom Festival is over. A resounding success -- and what else could it be considering all the effort put into it? -- it underlined the best of what we are and what we have going for us in our Valley.

This year’s theme, “Small Communities, Big Dreams,” was fitting in so many ways. It’s part of our history, our collective heritage.

And Queen Annapolisa 75th Princess Berwick Kathryn Elizabeth Cleveland and the other Festival princesses -- representing the will for individual, professional and personal development and community service -- will be on hand at Valley events for the rest of the year to remind us of those ideals.

Indeed, the Festival has always been grounded in reality. As Kentville Mayor Dave Corkum pointed out in his greetings at the Festival’s official opening Thursday, the original aim has been to promote the area, its apple industry and its musical heritage.

He cited the continuing heritage, including the participation of the only surviving member of the first Festival’s board, Garth Calkin, who is still involved as honourary parade marshal at 100 years of age.

Festival president Sally Swanburg Wallace noted the $3 million in economic activity the event generates locally each year. It’s the leading festival in Atlantic Canada and has received repeated accolades beyond the region.

Swanburg Wallace said, “we made this our big dream and it has been accomplished.”

Representing the provincial government, Environment and Labour Minister Mark Parent noted that a healthy environment and a healthy economy go hand-in-hand.

However, the Festival can’t be taken for granted. The ideals and heritage remain, but there are many challenges beyond those faced in the past.

Apple and other agricultural markets have been lost in the past due to economic depression and war. Things have always rebounded slowly, but what we’re seeing now is affected from many angles. National and international forces impact our agriculture industry. Social forces impact our communities.

A high Canadian dollar makes our products -- including fruit and vegetables -- less competitive price-wise in national and international marketplaces.

Previously unheard of diseases threaten to attack our livestock – poultry, beef and pork – adding to already low prices. Corporate bottom lines have already cost us processing capabilities and jobs, the latest being the Maple Leaf plant at Canard.

And in this era, when something is lost – an orchard, an industry, a processing plant – it’s gone forever.

As well, when this happens, skilled workers are more mobile than ever, taking their talents elsewhere. Sure, people have left in the past, but mobility is so much easier now.

Ironically, at the same time, urbanization is pressing the industry. It appears that the best places to live in the Valley happen also to be the best places to farm.

The 75th Apple Blossom Festival is over and the future lies ahead, but the Festival is a keen reminder of what we value above all and the struggles and challenges ahead to secure it.