The anxious anticipation for a winning phone call for a prize from the Holiday Feast Raffle is now over.  All tickets for the draw were sold days in advance of the draw on Friday December 18.  A small crowd trickled in to see their ticket pulled by Bill Whetstone, the Bayfield ward councillor.  Jim Erwin, one of the attendees, became quite excited as his wife, Elizabeth’s, ticket was drawn for second prize.  Four prizes found their homes in Goderich.

Rick Gerger from Bayfield picked up the first prize, Elizabeth Erwin also from Bayfield won second prize, and the third prize went to Shirley Sutherland in Parkhill.  A bag with coffee and fruitcake went to both Angela Polach and Nancy Suchard.  They both live in or near Goderich.  A $20 gift certificate for the Charles Street Market went to an excited Marcie McLean, from Goderich, who loves shopping there.  Preserves found their way to Henry Baker’s pantry.  The half bushel of apples went to Goderich to the home of Hugh McBurney.

The money from the draw will go toward costs associated with putting on the annual fair and with this year being the 160^th fair some extra entertainment is being planned.  A special thanks to Susan Lehnen who coordinated the holiday raffle as well as Marj Payne and Liz Elliott who assisted. These folks got all the items and organized them into exciting prize packages.

The prizes consisted of a variety of local foods, including a free range organic chicken, organic vegetable package, potatoes, gift baskets, gift certificates, fruitcake, coffee, preserves, and apples. The products featured came from Camille, Firmly Rooted, Red Cat Farm, Local Organics, Cait’s Kitchen, Hayter’s Farm, Rader’s Homestyle Market, Bayfield Foodland, Culbert’s Bakery, Shop Bike Coffee Roasters, Charles Street Market, Bayfield Berry Farm, and Apple Park.  A definite thank you is extended to these businesses for their support of the Bayfield Agricultural Society.

After Bill Whetstone drew the winning tickets, he announced that the Bayfield Arena Community Partners Association, of which he is a member, has volunteered to look after the Bayfield Fair Parade this year.  It will be a great partnership and the Ag Society is quite pleased that this active community association has taken on this task.  The Society President, Jentje Steenbeek, said it was good news.  This is the latest in the partnerships that have been sought in the last few years to strengthen the fair.

As this year closes and the expectancy of Christmas draws near, the Bayfield Agricultural Society thanks everyone for their generosity in assisting the many projects taken on by the Society and it wholeheartedly wishes everyone peace and joy for Christmas and the year ahead and the very best in the new year.  Bayfield is a wonderful, generous, and caring community.

Bill Whetstone drawing the winners

Bill Whetstone drawing the first place winner

Rick Gerger and his first prize winnings

Jim Erwin with his wife’s (Elizabeth’s) second prize.

The Bayfield Ag Society wishes all those who bought raffle tickets the best of luck. All the tickets have been sold in about three weeks. The Bayfield Foodland is thanked for providing a venue to sell the last of the tickets on Saturday. One supporter asked to have his prize, if he wins, donated to the local foodbank. Thanks are extended to Nip ‘n Tuck for having tickets at their store throughout the sales period.
A special thanks to Susan Lehnen who coordinated the holiday raffle as well as Marj Payne and Liz Elliott who assisted. These folks got all the items and organized them into exciting prize packages.
Bill Whetstone, our local Councillor, will draw the winners at 12:05 at Stonefield Garden Centre on Friday December 18. Phone calls will go out immediately after the draw is made and people can pick up their winnings or have them delivered. Next week the winners will be announced here so everyone can see who the lucky folks are.
The prizes consist of a variety of local foods, including a free range organic chicken, organic vegetable package, potatoes, gift baskets, gift certificates, fruitcake, coffee, preserves, and apples. The products featured come from Camille, Firmly Rooted, Red Cat Farm, Local Organics, Cait’s Kitchen, Hayter’s Farm, Rader’s Homestyle Market, Bayfield Foodland, Culbert’s Bakery, Shop Bike Coffee Roasters, Charles Street Market, Bayfield Berry Farm, and Apple Park.
The Society is always looking for additional members. Anyone with specific interests in marketing, fundraising, or assisting with improvements with the Ribs Fest, should leave their names with info@bayfieldfair.ca. Committees are always needing new ideas and approaches and new people are invited to help provide that input.