Wainfleet Fall Fair volunteers attend the OAAS convention

Members of the Wainfleet Fair Board attend the Ontario Agricultural Association Society AGM  and conference. ~ Submitted photo

By Ann Marie Chechalk

Several volunteers, for the first time, from the Wainfleet Fall Fair recently attended the Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies held from Feb. 19 to 21, in Richmond Hill.

Sharon McMillan, a resident of Wainfleet and quite new volunteer to the fair explains, “OAAS is the provincial body that oversees the more than 212 ag societies in Ontario. At the convention we were able to listen to excellent speakers, both keynote and individual, learn of new approaches to old issues, new programs the OAAS is starting and various government funded programs.”

“Attending the conference gave us opportunities to learn, network with other ag societies, see what everyone is facing and their solutions, have a refreshing break to meet and chat with likeminded folks passionate about agriculture,” said McMillan. “There are some ag societies that have no fairgrounds and do not put on an actual fair, in WainFleet we also do not own the land where we have our fair so we have many of the same concerns and issues.”

McMillan said she was very excited about the You Make the Difference program that was recently rolled out.

“Many of the ideas about recruiting and retaining volunteers, especially the young. I was able to speak to many young folks and get some really great ideas on how to recruit for a junior board,” she said.

“We are gaining some new volunteers as new folks move into the township and want to be involved in their ‘hometown.’ They have great memories of the Wainfleet fair and want the same memories for their children.”

“To encourage all to come out to the fair and get involved we are thinking outside the box, returning some old favourites, and trying new, kid’s tractor pulls, car show. This is our first year WAS has had an ambassador. Jessica Kumar is a lovely, capable and very smart young woman. We are extremely fortunate to have her as our 2025-2026 ambassador. We hope you get to meet her as she attends the many events in the area.”

Anyone wishing to volunteer with the Wainfleet fair can contact Jennifer Sutton at jen.sutton@live.com.

Anyone needing information regarding grants, awards, fair service providers, judges or a list of dates and fairs all over Ontario can be found on the OAAS website.