Slow and Steady Wins the (Slow Food Cycle Sunday) Race

Slow Down and Smell the Farm Fresh Food

It's Slow Food Cycle Sunday time again. This year, 2015, the event expands to include art and equestrian tours as well as the traditional farm fresh foods. This year, too, cyclists are streaming in from all over Washington State, New York, parts of Europe and across British Columbia. 

Everyone wants to know where their food comes from. Everyone wants to get a little closer to the roots of their food. When Lisa Richardson and Anna Helmer got the idea for Slow Food Cycle Sunday back in 2004, they knew they wanted to give people the chance to meet farmers, ride along the farmland that grows their food, taste what farm fresh food tastes like, and see the hard work that goes into growing that food. In short, they wanted to foster a connection between eaters and growers.

Food, Fun and Relaxation

It worked. People flock to Pemberton each year, thousands of them, all wanting that same elusive thing we take for granted here: a bit of slow. A bit of connection. A bit of family time, food, fun, and relaxation. With live music of course. And, because this is Pemberton and it's awesome, organic gin popsicles too.

Because it became so popular, the original organizers turned over Slow Food Cycle Sunday to Tourism Pemberton last year. New and better traffic safety plans were instated, and pre-registration became something to really aim for.

Arts, Crafts, and Horses

We hope you all will pre-register. It helps. With thousands of people cycling through our farmland, the event has evolved. Small vendors line the farms that take part, offering fun things for sale, such as the gin popsicles, but also Thirsty Whale Elixirs, Mile One Burgers, kombucha, candles, a kids tent, Salt Spring Island Coffee, cranberries and smoothies. There is a lot going on, but the event remains small-feeling, slow and grassroots, in part due to the organizational wizardry behind the scenes. 

The addition of arts and crafts, as well as the tours at Dreamcatcher Meadows this year takes this year's Slow Food Cycle Sunday to a new level. Come visit our beautiful valley. See our farmland and meet our farmers. But also go deeper this year and meet some of our artists and artisans as well. We're all part of this community, and we welcome you to take part with us. 

And don't forget to pre-register.

Photo's Courtesy: Dave Steers

Posted: Tuesday, August 11, 2015