MANITOWANING—It takes a literal army of volunteers to successfully plan and execute an agricultural fair, and for 148 years the community of Assiginack has come together to enhance and build upon the legacy of those who have gone before.
Manitowaning Agricultural Society president Alice Pennie was effusive in her praise and gratitude for the many volunteers and community members who stepped up to make Northern Ontario’s oldest agricultural fair once again a stellar success.
Assiginack Mayor Brenda Reid welcomed everyone to the fair during the opening ceremonies on Friday, September 6. “It’s nice to see so many people here tonight,” said Mayor Reid. “I’d like to begin by thanking the Agriculture Society and the many people that work so hard to make this weekend possible and keeping this wonderful tradition of our Fall Fair alive. The theme this year is ‘Growing from Generation to Generation,’ and as I look around here tonight, I see many generations of people enjoying themselves and others helping to make the fair a success. That’s how our township has managed to carry on this tradition. Children that enjoyed the fair every year grew up and started volunteering themselves. I’d like to take a minute to acknowledge the loss to our community of the most dedicated volunteers and fair directors: Lori Case and Jackie Bryant, who were involved in many, many groups’ events and were always available to lend a helping hand. Their loss will be felt deeply in our community—and personally—I do know, though, that they would want us to enjoy every aspect of this weekend that they have worked so hard to help plan. So, in saying that, I invite everyone to have fun this weekend and I declare the 148th Manitowaning Fall Fair opened.”
“Welcome to our 148th fair,” said Manitowaning Agricultural Fair president Alice Pennie. “Just two more years and it will be 150. So, we need to start thinking about it and if you have any ideas, there’s an idea suggestion box at the back, please give your ideas to us. I want to thank all the directors and volunteers who helped make this fair happen. There’s a lot of work to it and a lot of people have turned in and helped a lot. Thank you also to our many sponsors who contributed to our silent auction—don’t forget to bid.”
Ms. Pennie had just ridden to the stage on an adult tricycle that was up for bids in the auction.
“These, this is what makes our communities,” said Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Mike Mantha. “This is the heartbeat as far as what we have. This is where we have the opportunity to show our talents, our tasty treats that we have, and I’m really sorry to those that had the treats out there that left your bags open. There are small pieces of them that fell into my hand. I really enjoyed it. Thank you very much,” he quipped. “Have a lot of fun this weekend and, do me a favor with all seriousness, I want you to take this comment really seriously—you never know what’s going to happen tomorrow. We never know what the Creator, what God has in store for us. So, the things that you can do today, do the things that you can, sing today, say it to that person that you love. If you need to hug a family member, take the time to pick up a phone and bury those quarrels and hug them. Because tomorrow or today is a precious moment and we never know what tomorrow and what gifts are going to come across our past. So, enjoy your day, make everyday count—and have an awesome fair everyone.”
Attendees were then treated to an evening of music to close out the opening ceremonies, with consummate musician Al Ryan being joined onstage by Island musicians Judy Blue, Debbie Robinson, Lori Gordon, Candice Irwin, the Three D’s Lyle, Darren and Ben Dewar, George Williamson, Ben Pangowish and Robbie Shawana.
The following day was filled with great activities, including 4-H animal husbandry competitions, a horse show, horse pull, baby contests, vendors and, of course, a hall filled to the brim with agricultural products and the stuff of rural life competing for prizes and 2024 bragging rights.
