It is so hard to believe that it was just over a year I was awarded the role of the 2019-2020 Rodney-Aldborough Fair Ambassador, and yet that night was unforgettable. During the weekend of the fair I got to take part in many activities and it was so incredible to know that I was contributing to the same fair I’d submitted projects to be judged in elementary school — but in a different way. To interact with community members, see the smiles on the kid and adult faces alike, hand out ribbons at the cattle show, or cheer alongside my neighbours and friends at the Demolition Derby was amazing. I felt like royalty during the parade and throughout the weekend. It truly felt surreal and was such a wonderful and unique experience and one I will always think of fondly.
The role of the Fair Ambassador did not end with the fair weekend though. I was given the opportunity to go to both the District 13 Fair Meeting and the Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies Convention. At the District Meeting I was introduced to the other Fair Ambassadors from neighbouring communities, which was an incredible group of young men and women. At the convention in February I got to meet all of the Fair Ambassadors from both near and far. While we had a wonderful weekend of entertainment, we also made great connections and were given seminars informing us of relevant issues or learning helpful skills. Some of these skills were public speaking, leadership skills, and professionalism. In turn, I got to represent our community and agricultural society. That weekend was another memory made by the fair and one I will never forget.
Usually the Fair Ambassador also has the honour of attending and competing at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) in Toronto for the title of Ambassador of the Fairs. Due to Covid-19 the CNE did not happen this year. I am however, so excited to share that I’ve been allowed to carry on the role of the Rodney-Aldborough Fair Ambassador for the 2020-2021 year and I cannot be more happy to have the honour of representing our wonderful community once again at Convention and then at the CNE.
This past year has been so incredible and I am so thankful for the opportunity. I’ve had so much fun, made so many connections, learned so many valuable skills, and have learned so much about and become more confident in myself. I will always be grateful to everyone who made this incredible and unique opportunity possible, including: the Fair Board, the Agricultural Society, and each and every one of the community members. Thank you all for your continued support of the fair, there is truly no community I’d rather represent in the coming year and I could not be more proud to be a part of it. I just hope I make our amazing community proud in Toronto. See you at the 2021 fair!
A fall fair is a celebration of culture, a celebration of agriculture and community where people share what they’ve grown or made and celebrate a successful harvest together with food, music, and entertainment. The Rodney-Aldborough Fair was one of my favourite things about growing up in a rural community. Participating in the poster contest and submitting works of art made in school, then dragging my parents to see where my childhood works of art have always been fond memories of mine. Watching the tractor pull and Demolition Derby and cheering alongside my community has always been an amazing feeling to have the cmmunity come together and celebrate another great year of the products of their hard work and to share them with the community along with the companionship that came with it.
Back in September of 2019, ! was honoured with the role of the 2019-2020 Rodney-Aldborough Fair Ambassador and! got to participate in the fair once more as well as join a long line of phenomenal and inspirational people who served as the Rodney-Aldborough Fair Ambassador before me. During the fair weekend, ! got to take part in many activities and it was so incredible to know that! was contributing to the same fair !’d submitted projects to be judged in elementary school – but in a different way. To interact with community members, see the smiles on the kid and adult faces alike, hand out ribbons at the cattle show, or cheer alongside my neighbours and friends at the Demolition Derby was amazing. ! felt like royalty during the parade and throughout the weekend. !t truly felt surreal and was such a wonderful and unique experience and one! will always think of fondly.
The role of the Fair Ambassador did not end with the fair weekend though. ! was able to attend our neighbouring fair, the Wallacetown Fair, and speak about our fair and watch their Fair Ambassador Contest. Jesse McKillop was the 2019-2020 Wallacetown Fair Ambassador and one of my closest friends! made through the Fair Ambassador program. ! was also given the opportunity to go to both the District 13 Fair Meeting and the Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies Convention. At the the District Meeting, ! was introduced to the other Fair Ambassadors from neighbouring communities, which was an incredible group of young men and women. At the convention in February, ! got to meet all of the Fair Ambassadors from both near and far. While we had a wonderful weekend of entertainment, we also made great connections and were given seminars informing us of relevant issues or learning helpful skills. Some of these skills were public speaking, leadership skills, and professionalism. !n turn, ! got to represent our community and agricultural society. !t was amazing to see how fairs not only bring members of the same community together, but also people from different communities. That weekend was another memory made by the fair and one! will never forget.
Usually the Fair Ambassador also has the honour of attending and competing at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) in Toronto for the title of Ambassador of the Fairs. Due to Covid-19 the CNE was cancelled in both 2020 and 2021, though it should be making a return this August. While CNE had been forced to be cancelled, the Rodney-Aldborough Agricultural Society also had to make the difficult decision to cancel our fall fair for two years due to difficulties and restrictions relating to the pandemic. While we couldn’t hold a fair, we still made an effort to have a presence in the community by holding events like the Online Exhibition, the monthly photo contest, and a parade on what would have been the fair weekend. The community has been amazingly supportive of all of these events, the fundraising events, and the parade had an incredible turn-out. ! have been so thankful and honoured that !’ve been allowed to carry on the role fo the Rodney-Aldborough FairAmbassador for the 2021-2022 year and! cannot be more excited to have the honour of representing our magnificent and supportive community at the CNE.
These past years have been so incredible and! am so thankful for the opportunities !’ve had. !’ve had so much fun, made so many connections, learned so many valuable skills, and have learned so much about and become more confident in myself. ! will always be grateful to everyone who made this remarkable and unique opportunity possible, including the Fair Board, the Agricultural Society, the sponsors of the fair and each and every one of the community members. Thank you all for your continued support of the fair, there is truly no community !’d rather represent in the coming year and! could not be more proud to be a part of it. !just hope! make our amazing community proud in Toronto. See you at the newly-returned 2022 fair – which! know the Rodney-Aldborough Agricultural Society has been working hard to plan and are so happy to bring it back. A fall fair is a celebration of community, culture, and hard work, and we have so much to celebrate after these past couple years of enduring and adapting to change.