PEC Ag Society ‘fair’ Backs the Build, supports foodbanks

For 12 years, the Prince Edward Agricultural Society has been encouraging the public to give back to the County’s hospital by putting their baking skills to the test.

With the COVID-19 pandemic and the Picton Fair being postponed until 2021, Bake Off Challenge enthusiasts weren’t able to show off their best in show cakes, pies and tarts.

All was not lost though when the Agricultural Society hosted its first ever drive through event at the Picton Fairgrounds on Oct. 3.

More than 800 cars cruised through the fairgrounds to take in the agricultural-themed displays and enjoy a mini donut (or two).

Admission was free of charge, but donations to the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation, the Picton United Church Food Bank and the Storehouse Food Bank were encouraged.

The donations raised $4,000 and saw $2,000 donated to the PECMHF’s Back the Build Campaign for a new hospital in Prince Edward County. Each food bank received $1,000.

Today’s donation brings the Ag Society’s cumulative giving total to PECMHF to $12,635.

The Foundation is proud of its 12-year partnership with the Agricultural Society and hopes to see everybody at next year’s Picton Fair Bake Off Challenge.

Pictured from left at the Picton Fairgrounds: Phil Prinzen, councillor representing Prince Edward County and a member of the PEC Dairy Producers’; Larry Everall, president of the PE Agricultural Society; Nancy Parks, Back the Build campaign co-chair; Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMH Foundation; Larry Richardson, a volunteer on behalf of the Picton United Church Food Bank; Dorothy Mitchell, a volunteer on behalf of the Storehouse Food Bank and Tina Hiddink on behalf of the PE Agricultural Society. Briar Boyce photo