Overall – a delightful Picton Fair

Overview image of the Picton Fair was taken by Steven Draper while in an airplane at about 3.30 Saturday afternoon.  © stevendraper/polepics  www.polepics.com

Tuckered out from a great weekend at the Picton Fair?

Paws up for County Dog “Mutt Show”

Picton Fair Dog "Mutt" Show Best in Show 2010 - Cricket.

Katie Shannon shines as Picton Rising Star 2010 winner

Three performances and 13 judges later, Katie Shannon shone brightest in the Rising Star 2010 competition at the Picton Fair on Saturday.

Her competition was stellar – the final four contestants were Tatyana Sylla, Abby Chapman and Gavin Massey, who all wowed the judges to the point that they were all named finalists in favour of rankings from second to fourth.

Saturday’s event began with eight performers who had advanced from Friday’s competition pool of 17 who took the stage. The other four in the semi-finals were Emma Woodward, Brooke Bruce, Michelle Legacy and the band An Unfollowed Grace featuring Jesse Burrill, Scott Blanchard, Isaac Bass, Riley Perkins and Mark Schmidt.

Also competing Friday were Cheyenne Fraser, the youngest at age 7, Laura Young, Cole Norton, Lydia and Chloe Dick, Jessica Matier, Grace Bongard, Jennifer Hineman, Kailey Verner and Kydra Mayhew.

At the end of Friday’s performances, the audience voted Abby Chapman as the Peoples’ Choice winner.

The fourth annual showcase of rising talent in Prince Edward County was sponsored by The Waring House Restaurant, Inn, Conference Centre and Cookery School; Stormy’s Car Sales and Automotive Centre and Pure County Bottled Water. Donations for prizes and cash awards were from Kelly’s, Books & Company, Picton Martial Arts, The Regent Theatre, Black River Cheese Company and anonymous donors.

Caleb and Megan Hutton, of Instant Rivalry.

Judges this year included: Greg Hunter of Cool 100, Rick Zimmerman, Megan Hutton, Jenica Hammett, Monica Alyea, Bev Campbell, Sandy Latchford, Brian Marisett, Mark DaSilva, Bernie Gaw, Suzanne Pasternak and Lori Farrington.

Knowlton Hunter was chair of this year’s event, and Jeanette Arsenault kept the action moving as emcee. Megan and Caleb Hutton, of the popular local band Instant Rivalry volunteered on sound and staging. They delighted the audience with two performances while judging was being completed – a small taste of what they would offer Saturday night when they opened for the Marshall Dane concert.

A look inside the fairgrounds buildings

Michael Meysing, Essroc Plant Manager (left) and Dan Wight, Essroc Human Resources Manager (right) present Tom Field with the 2010 Artist of the Year Award. Tom has a passion for old Victorian buildings in Prince Edward County and has made it his mission to portray them in watercolour form. You can view his work at Tolita Gallery, located at 98 Union St., Picton.

The PEC 4H members exhibited their talents in a number of projects including giant vegetables, baking, photography, and achievement day programs showing cows, sheep and goats.

Fun on the midway

Night-time midway photos contributed by Reg Smith

The Tractor Pulls drew a good crowd Friday night at the grandstand area.

Drawing Matches for Teams were held Saturday before good crowds.

Holsteins, horses and favourites at Ed’s Barn

Picton Fair opening celebrates past and present

The Prince Edward Agricultural Society honoured its history and welcomed its future at the opening of the Picton Fair, Friday night.
Following behind the Picton Pipes and Drums, Rose Smith, the society’s president, and Mayor Leo Finnegan, arrived in horse-drawn carriage to meet with society members dressed in period costumes, local politicians and supporters of the new County Youth Park.
Smith thanked the agricultural society and its many volunteers for their commitment and support.
Vice-president Larry Everall noted the Prince Edward Agricultural Society formed in 1830 and held its first fair five years later “to showcase the best the County has to offer and be the best fair in the area. We succeeded by 1900, becoming the fourth largest fair in Ontario.” Success continues today, he said, due to multi-talented volunteers and community involvement and extends to the creation of the new skate park. “They have succeeded through community involvement. Be proud of your dreams and following your dreams.”
Congratulations on the 175th anniversary of the agricultural society and the opening of the County Youth Park were extended by MP Daryl Kramp (in a message delivered by Mayor Finnegan); MPP Leona Dombrowsky, Mayor Finnegan, supporters of the park, including Essroc, the PEC Community Foundation, the Women’s Institute, council members and Andrew MacKay, the leader of the teen project.
“We are absolutely thrilled,” said MacKay, speaking on behalf of the youth and their efforts. “Thank you for empowering them to design the park. It’s a dream come true for so many teenagers over the past five years. Some of these teenagers are now young adults out there making a difference in the world.”

The Picton Fair continues today and Sunday. Highlights for Saturday include the 4H Calf Show, the Mutt “Dog” Show, the finals of the Rising Star Competition, the Steer Show and Sale, Heavy Horse draw and on stage in the Community Centre hall, the Marshall Dane Show, opening by the local band Instant Rivalry.