As the saying goes, make hay while the sun shines.

The sun shone bright for the first day of Haying In The 30s on Saturday. The forecast was less than certain on Sunday, but the immensely popular charity event managed to total $321, 917 in donations over the weekend.

The Haying In The 30s Cancer Support Society, which organizes the annual fundraiser, makes one-time payments to cancer patients for whatever they may need to use it for. Since 1999, they have paid out more than $8 million directly to individuals.

The weekend is the ultimate family-friendly activity. The site comes alive as a 1930s rural village complete with a blacksmith forge, a creamery, a barber shop, a dentist chair, a Hudson’s Bay Company Trading Post and virtually everything else.

Teams of horses harvest a hay cut while others take visitors on wagon rides. There is a petting zoo, a chapel, a schoolhouse, and a train station.

New attractions this year included a vintage movie theatre and a photo shop.

There is continuous entertainment on the grounds, and plenty of food.

All of the work—and it’s a year-long project to put on a two-day event—is done by volunteers. All of the food and all of the materials are donated. Because of this, visitors can keep their wallets in their pockets while they enjoy everything on offer. At any point in their visit they can stop at the donation booth and give whatever they wish, knowing that every penny goes to help someone dealing with a cancer diagnosis.

*Mounties in red serge lead the opening parade Saturday; below, a friendly park-bench conversation is as welcome today as it would have been in the 1930s. JEFF GAYE*

“Saloon Girls” welcome visitors to the dance hall. **JEFF GAYE**

Haying in the 30s is heaven for horse lovers! **JEFF GAYE**

Shave and a haircut: two bits? **JEFF GAYE**

Directing the wagon traffic for the parade. **JEFF GAYE**

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Haying In The 30s makes the most of a sunny Saturday (and a soggy Sunday)