Ameliasburgh celebrates community, volunteers at fall fair

Evelyn Price was honoured for her work as homecraft convener for the past 14 years.

Sunshine and clear, blue skies favoured the Ameliasburgh Fair on the weekend – in contrast to heavy rain at both the Picton and Milford fairs earlier this month.

Steve Ferguson, president of the Milford Fair Board, was asked to officially open the Ameliasburgh event.

“The importance of community fairs cannot be underestimated,” he said. “It is a place for friends and family to come and congregate and a terrific opportunity for people who know nothing about Prince Edward County, or rural living, to come and understand what is involved, the friendship and fellowship that exists, and to understand the work and effort that go into this community be it in crafts, art and most importantly, agriculture and farming.”

The community embraced the weather and opened the fall fair with a parade from Kente Public School, to the fairgrounds.

“What a great community you have,” said Tawnya Smith, speaking at the opening ceremonies on behalf of her husband, MPP Todd Smith.

“Walking around with my daughter, the first thing we had was a milkshake from the 4H booth. We found some lovely pies, got to see many entries in both buildings and then the firefighters were cooking up lunch for everybody.”

From a small town herself, she noted she realizes the value in “everyone meeting each other – old friends, new friends and the sense of community you have at this fair.”

Neil Ellis brought chuckles apologizing for having to come to the fair between engagements wearing a suit.

Visiting the fair, he said, brings back fond family memories of participating in the horse shows.

“It was always a show that built community and when I look at fall fairs, they are our roots, and I thank all of the volunteers who constantly put endless hours in to make these events that give back to our community.”

Evelyn Price, a 14-year volunteer as convener with the homecrafts division, was honoured for her contributions as she retires from the helm.

“Evelyn has done a great job,” said fair board secretary Dan Dulmage as he presented her with a gift certificate, a framed certificate and “something in your favourite colour, a green tee shirt.

“She has donated her organizational skills, her time, and often some of her own materials in running this division and promoting a high standard of excellence.”

Price said she’s leaving the position but will continue to participate in the annual fair.

“I took over from Joyce Shannik and she showed me what I had to do and then you learn by doing,” said Price. “For the most part, it’s been enjoyable,” she said to work with a half dozen volunteers to present the year’s best in sewing, baking, preserves, knitting, scrapbooking and children’s crafts.

She noted she and her daughter Angela usually enter most of the homecraft competitions and now continue the tradition to include the grandchildren, as well as encouraging others to participate in the various categories.

She most enjoys meeting the exhibitors, hearing the stories they have to tell, and the friendly competition among neighbours.

She recalled that last year she got a new pickle recipe from one of the participants, made and entered her version and won.

“I beat her,” she laughed. “It felt so good because it was her recipe and it was all fun.”

The board also presented a ‘Fair Volunteer of the Year’ award to Roberta Cullin thanking her for her contributions over the past five or six years and noting her name is on the first fair membership issued.

Darcy and Mallory Wood were at the fair to show month-old Holstein calves Pea and Ellie.

Charlotte Gorrie with Tango

The Hastings Prince Edward Fire Safety House attracted crowds.

Volunteer firefighters kept up to the demand for their delicious hamburgers and fries.

Vivian Rose, Debbie Ruston and Evelyn Peck were three Rednersville Women’s Institute members who served up homemade pie.

A new fundraiser for the Storehouse Foodbank in Wellington, the cotton candy machine, operated here by volunteer Toni Murphy, perfectly complemented the candy table.

CSelections blooming beautifully despite this summer’s drought.

There were fewer, smaller vegetables due to the drought but “Thomas the Turkey” by Aiden F brought smiles and a specials ribbon in the create-a-creature category.

A delightful display of miniatures carved to first-place excellence, by Harvey Tremear, of Rednersville.

Photographer of the Year was Cindy Paul with this abstract.

Artist of the Year was Rowan Allcorn with this waterfront piece.

Visitors to the fair filled Prince Edward County Public Library bags with interesting reading to have on hand after the fair.