Quincy's Farmer Consumer Awareness Day was a success

QUINCY - The Quincy Valley played host to Farmer Consumer Awareness Day this weekend.

Events kicked off Friday with the Chef Challenge at White Heron Cellars and continued through Sunday.

Quincy High School had several vendors and exhibits inside the gymnasium while the car show, concessions and other activities were held on the field.

The event started 32 years ago to help educate the public on the hard work it takes for food to make it onto the shelves of their local grocery store.

"What the Quincy farmers were realizing was that most people thought their food just showed up at Safeway or a grocery store and not knowing where it came from or how it was grown or processed," Quincy Valley Chamber of Commerce Director Tia Tracy Majer said. "From that it's grown to this, which is much bigger than its original beginnings. It's still meant to educate and the Quincy Valley farmers are very proud of what they grow."

Despite the several vendors and recreational activities at Farmer Consumer Awareness Day, education is still the main objective. Those interested were able to take tours of farms, plants and warehouses around the Quincy Valley. State Department of Natural Resources field geologist Jack Powell also gave a presentation on the Columbia River Basin basalt formations.

The festivities were a way to honor the Quincy Valley farmers who help produce food for the community and drive the local economy.

"This is a farming community, very agriculturally-based, and that's what makes Quincy so neat is that these families they've been here for years and years upon years," Majer said.

"Some of these families have had homes and farms as early as the 1900s so I think the history, the people all coming out, everybody knowing everybody... it's really lovely," she said.

Mayor Jim Hemberry was glad he was able to attend this year's event.

"This is great," he said. "Couldn't have asked for a nicer day. It's hot, but a nice little breeze. Lots of people in the car show, lot of people mingling around... this is great. This is a great chance for people to meet with our community and I like these kind of events."

The event concluded with the Quincy Valley Balloon and Wine Festival and the balloon glow and fireworks show Saturday night at Twin Furs Turf.