Category Archives: News

Good News & Building Project

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Members attending the March meeting for the Bayfield Agricultural Society were given some good news from the Convention held for the Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies (OAAS). Following the annual fair there is a separate photography competition to submit pictures taken at the Bayfield Fair best exemplifying 21 different categories. The convenor of the photography section, Colleen Jacob, was thrilled to learn that Bayfield won 5 firsts and some thirds and fifths in the provincial competition. At the meeting the members learned that one person who won many of the winning pictures was Patrick Dunn, grandson of Jean and Ted. He spent a lot of the fair weekend taking hundreds of pictures and submitted a picture for each of the categories and when judged his were several of the Bayfield submissions. Patrick is another example of youth making us so proud and having Bayfield represented at the provincial level.

The Society has been hearing regular reports of the building plans of a new farm animal display building for Agricultural Park. The current Pet Display building is in poor shape and will need to be replaced. A motion was passed to give the building committee approval to build this fall or winter. Following the motion it was stated that with a donation announced at the meeting that over half of the building expenses of $85 000 have now been covered through private, corporate, or donated labour sources. The fundraising committee is considering a few new activities for the Bayfield community. If anyone is interesting in ensuring the infrastructure at Agricultural Park is safe and wants to continue the historical goal of introducing the public to farm animals, they can contact the Society through info@bayfieldfair.ca. All donations of $500 or more will be recognized on the building through engraved bricks which will be part of a donation wall.

For those wanting to be part of a vibrant and energetic organization, let us know through info@bayfieldfair.ca. Our goal is to help educate the public about where their food comes from and have some friendly competition within the community. The next meeting for the organization is April 9 in the basement of St. Andrew’s United Church at 7 p.m. It will be a Directors’ Meeting but all are welcome to attend. For those who love a midway, it was confirmed that Townsend Amusements will be at the fair with some special rates on the Sunday of the fair.

Ag Society Activities

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The lights on Clan Gregor Square have been turned on, the parade wound around the village, and Santa has made his first appearance.  These are sure signs that we all need to be getting ready for Christmas.  The Bayfield Agricultural Society will make your decorating easier if you need a wreath or tail.  There are a few left after the sale this past weekend and can be seen at John’s by calling 519 565 2479 or order one through Don at 519 263 2404.  They are all made from local greens and the money goes to support the upcoming fair in August.

A highlight for the Bayfield Agricultural Society is the Annual General Meeting.  This will be held in the basement of St. Andrew’s United Church on Friday November 24.  Food is always a major focus of the organization so the evening begins with a potluck dinner with people arriving at 5:30 with the meal beginning at 6:00 p.m.  There is always lots of food with the main course for many of those attending being the desserts.  Special awards will be presented at 7:15 to 9 members with years of service followed by two very distinctive Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies’ awards –one achievement and one meritorious.  David Pullen, County forest conservation officer, will speak at 7:30 p.m. tying together forestry, fishing, and farming which is the theme of the fair for 2018.  David is well known for his presentations and he is looking forward to speaking in Bayfield and sharing his views on his passion –the preservation of forestry land.  The Annual Meeting begins at 8 to summarize what the current year achieved and put the people in place for organizing the goals for 2018.  Everyone is welcome to any portion of the evening and learn a little of the organization and what its mandate is.

The Society is planning to take on a major building project in the coming months.  The pet display building is now past its prime and needs some major renovations and the decision was to replace it entirely.  There is also a need to store paper, ribbon, and boxed supplies in one location.  A plan is to build a 30 x 50 foot structure solely for storage and then for use as a pet display building during the fair.  Building costs have increased considerably over the past few months due to forest fires in B.C. and hurricanes in Florida.  This has put the cost to nearly $100 000.  Supporters of the Ag Society and its work are asked to contact us at info@bayfieldfair.ca.  We have started the conversations about how you can help us achieve our goals.  This is one time when we really do need our supporters. It has been a long time since a building was contemplated.