As the festivities at the 170th Shawville Fair got underway Thursday night, the circus tent was packed with volunteers and representatives of various levels of government, as well as neighbouring fair boards from across the Ottawa Valley. 

Fair board president Ralph Lang greeted everyone and thanked them for their attendance. 

Fair Ambassador Molly Dowe gave a speech to the crowd about 4-H, which the 15-year-old has been involved with since she was six years old. 

“Through 4-H I’ve learned to appreciate and respect agriculture and those involved in it,” she said. “Agriculture is one of the most important industries in Canada and feeds millions of people around the world. Being involved in agriculture isn’t just a job, it’s a way of life and a community. I’m so grateful to be a part of this community and it’s so important to me to inform people about Canadian agriculture.”

Lang thanked Curtis Young of Young’s Appliances for donating equipment for the new kitchen the fair board has installed at the back of the homecraft hall. 

The majority of the opening ceremony was dedicated to honouring nine long-serving fair volunteers. 

The volunteers honoured were Stu Stark, Art Smart, the late Harold Storie, the late Jean Coles, Joan Conrod, Winnifred Pirie, Elaine Lang, Mary Hamilton and the late Robert Bretzlaff.

Each volunteer or member of their family got a chance to speak about their favourite fair memory or what the event means to them. 

Fair Director Mavis Hanna said that each of the volunteers being honoured have made significant contributions to building the fair over the decades. 

“I’m delighted to be celebrating these wonderful, dedicated supporters of the Shawville Fair, and the [Pontiac Agricultural Society]. As anyone knows who’s involved in an agricultural society, the experiences and memories that you create can last a lifetime,” she said. “All of these recipients are truly wonderful examples of what dedication, hard work, long hours and teamwork can accomplish. Their contributions have made the Shawville Fair the success it is today and we are deeply grateful for their many years of service.”

Following the opening ceremony,  a group of volunteers gathered and cut the ribbon for the official opening near the front gates where a new mural celebrating the fair’s 170th anniversary was revealed. 

The mural was the work of local artist Mitch Gagnon, who said that it took more than 200 hours to complete. 

“The scene was based on old images shared with me by the fair board from fairs past. So, I was working with photos from the early 1900s and tried to capture that nostalgic vibe in the final scene,” Gagnon said.

by Caleb Nickerson