Dave Talbot is best known in the Comox Valley as the driving force behind the Fiesta World Craft Bazaar.
He started Fiesta 27 years ago, and it is now recognized as Canada’s largest fair trade world craft fair.
Dave’s inspiration for the fair came from this time spent in Africa. After teaching for three years in Kenya, Dave needed to do something concrete to deal with his anger over the unfairness of the world. It has been encouraging to see the growth in Fair Trade over the last 26 years and to watch Fiesta blossom.
The annual event has had several Island spin-offs – in Campbell River, Parksville, Duncan and Victoria – all of which Dave has had a hand in getting off the ground.
When Dave is not involved with Fiesta, the Comox United Church benefits from his services.
He has served on several committees in Comox United Church, in particular, the Social Justice Committee. On his initiative, World Communities fair trade coffee has been sold at the church every Sunday for the past 17 years.
Dave has also been active in many groups that work to help bring refugees to the Comox Valley.
He also volunteers with the annual Child Haven fundraiser in October. He is a retired teacher whose influence has touched so many lives and continues to do so. The ripple effects of his work are enormous, and he is well-deserving of the Hero of the Year Award.
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