Paris Agricultural Society workshops keep traditional skills alive year-round

Elaine Tully (right) and Laura Tousaw, members of the Paris Agricultural Society’s Homecraft Division, are pictured during a past Pie Pastry 101 workshop, part of the Society’s ongoing Homecraft Workshop Series that offers hands-on learning and traditional skills to the community year-round. This year’s Pip Pastry 101 series takes place on February 21st from 10 am to 12 pm at the Paris Fairgrounds.

Casandra Turnbull

Managing Editor

The Paris Agricultural Society is continuing its Homecraft Workshop Series this year, offering residents hands-on opportunities to learn traditional skills while connecting with the Society beyond fair time.

The workshop series, which has been running for several years, was developed as a community outreach initiative focused on traditional life skills and social connection, said Homecraft Division President Karen Ilett. The sessions are designed to be welcoming and practical, giving participants the chance to learn something new or refresh an existing skill in a small, hands-on setting 

The Homecraft Division is a core part of the Paris Fair, showcasing hobbies, domestic sciences, crafts, food, and entertainment across the fairgrounds each year. Ilett said the workshops help extend that focus year-round while highlighting the depth of talent within the Society’s volunteer base. Many workshop instructors are members of Homecraft committees at the fair and often tie sessions directly to exhibitor classes, giving participants insight into how they can take part during fair time.

Accessibility is a key feature of the series. Workshops are geared toward beginners but also serve as refreshers for those with prior experience. Group sizes are kept small, with an emphasis on hands-on learning and volunteer instruction. According to Ilett, the format has attracted both first-time participants and returning attendees who enjoy the relaxed, inclusive atmosphere.

Beyond skill-building, the workshops also introduce participants to the Paris Agricultural Society’s facilities and volunteer opportunities. Ilett noted that involvement with the Society extends well beyond the annual fair and offers residents a chance to give back while learning and socializing throughout the year.

Upcoming sessions include baking and knitting workshops, along with a poppy-making workshop being held in partnership with the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 29 in Paris. The poppy workshop, taking place at the Paris Fairgrounds on February 14th from 9 am to 12 pm, is part of a larger community project tied to the Legion’s 100th anniversary in 2026.

Paris Legion member Cheryl Humphreys, who is leading the poppy-making workshop, said the poppy has been a national symbol of remembrance since 1921 and holds particular significance this year as both the local Paris branch and the national Legion mark a century of service. Community members across the county have already contributed thousands of knitted and crocheted poppies, which will be assembled into large displays at the Legion building and cenotaph in downtown Paris in 2026.

Humphreys said hosting the workshop through the Homecraft series reflects the Legion’s commitment to community connection and shared learning. Creating poppies together, she said, echoes the role of homecrafts during wartime, when women supported the war effort through knitting, sewing, and other skills that sustained families and soldiers alike.

The workshop is open to all ages and skill levels, including those with no prior knitting or crocheting experience. Humphreys said guidance and support will be provided, making the session as much about community and conversation as it is about crafting poppies.

“Taking part in something like this poppy workshop shows how small acts of crafting can contribute to something meaningful and visible in our community. It's about remembrance, yes, but also about building bonds and giving back together,” said Humphreys. With more workshops planned throughout the year, the Paris Agricultural Society is encouraging residents to participate, suggest future topics, or consider volunteering as instructors. Ilett said the goal remains simple: to share skills, foster learning, and strengthen community ties through the Homecraft Division.

To register for the poppy knitting and crocheting series on February 14 from 9 am to 12 pm, email parispoppies29@gmail.com Pre registration is required. Can’t make that session? Catch the next one where Elaine Tully will lead Pie Pastry 101class on February 21st from 10 am to 12 pm. For more information email pashomecraft@gmail.com Pre registration is required.