Dear Editor
This evening at 7 p.m. would have been our 164th Opening Ceremonies of the Shawville Fair. When I became President in January, I never expected that we would not have a fair this year. We are all tremendously disappointed and sad on this Labour Day weekend, as most of us in our surrounding communities have been . . .
attending the Shawville Fair. For many of us it was a family tradition since we were children. This Labour Day weekend we are feeling a little sad, since the one thing we look forwards to most each year has been taken from us. Normally we would be surrounded by all the amazing smells of food and trying to decide which tasty food we would try next. Many of us took in the livestock shows, the truck pull, derby and listened to the amazing entertainment. Children young and old would line up in the midway to get a chance to ride their favourite ride or try their luck at winning a prize at one of the games. For many of us, we would be reuniting with old friends and making new family memories this weekend. Unfortunately, we have to put all of that on hold for a year, but we will be back next year enjoying our favourite things together at the Shawville Fair.
I would like to take a moment and thank all our volunteers, sponsors, exhibits, vendors and fairgoers. Each and every one of you plays a very important role in our fair. Without you we would not have a fair. I really hope that everyone’s family continues to stay safe during these difficult times. I encourage all of you to support our local businesses and farmers. We have tried our best to still have some of the stuff that we had in the past. We were able to have a virtual fair exhibition for homecraft, horticulture and produce this year. I would like to thank everyone who participated in our car rally, on-line auction and virtual fair. We are so fortunate to live in such a supportive community.
Everyone in the community has their own fair memories. The fair has always been homecoming in the Pontiac, where old friends and new friends come together. I have many memories of Shawville Fair over the years. I can remember when I was a child coming to the fair when it was so cold we had to wear our snowsuits, however in recent years we have had some pretty warm temperatures. A few of my personal favourite memories were being a part of the Miss Shawville Fair pageant. I got to represent the Dairy division and worked alongside Hillis Conolly. I enjoyed showing Holstein cattle for my uncle Robert and Aunt Faye Howard. I also really liked being a part of the Shawville 4-H Club during my high school years.
I look forward to seeing all of you at our 165th Shawville Fair in 2021, which is also known as the “Valley’s most family-friendly Fair”!
Charleen Moore, Pontiac Agricultural Society President
Shawville Que.
