AMHERST - Family's came out en-masse to this year's Highland Fling, making it the most successful Fling in its 28-year history.
The Highland Fling, which is organized by the Cumberland Health Care Auxiliary, was held Saturday, May 8, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Amherst Curling Club.
The event usually attracts just over 1000 people but by noon they had attracted many more.
"This is a five hour event and we had a 1000 buttons printed and we sold them before noon," said Bob Janes of the Cumberland Health Care Auxiliary, at about noon. "It looks like it's going to be one of our better years. They're still lining up to get in."
The Highland Fling had a full-capacity of 30 booths, which had something for everybody, including lobster rolls, golf, docs dogs, bingo, ring toss, balloon animals, face painting, cake walks and a lobster draw.
"We also have a really good following because we have a community that uses the hospital and they're familiar with it," added Janes.
"And we have everything under one roof that they like. It's like a giant yard sale, a giant bake sale - it's a giant everything sale."
It's also a great way to meet friends.
"You run in to a lot of people you might not have seen in a while," said Kathleen Woodworth as she talked to friends Betty Duizer and Allie Daley. "It's the place to be, and everything goes to the hospital."
This year's goal was to raise $20,000 to buy new equipment for the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre.
"All the money goes to the Auxiliary and then goes back into the hospital," said Janes. "We get a chance to look at a list of equipment that's not normally purchased or they're waiting to get the money for, and we pick from that list to help different departments out.
"This is our biggest fundraiser and with this kind of participation it makes it so much easier for us to put equipment in the hospital," said Janes. "With the communities help we're helping to keep our hospital up to snuff."
Photo's of the Highland Fling can be found on the slideshow at www.amherstdaily.com.
dmathieson@amherstdaily.com
