PROVIDENCE BAY—While he was the first male to be chosen as the Providence Bay Fair Ambassador in 2023, Ben Dewar won’t be the only male contender vying for the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) Ambassador of the Fairs competition in a couple of weeks.
“I’m very excited to be competing at the CNE,” said Mr. Dewar. “I will have to write a speech for the event and then be interviewed by a panel of judges on this before I find out if I will be able to make the speech on stage at the CNE Fair Ambassador event.”
Mr. Dewar explained his speech, which is required to be no more than one minute in length, will focus “on the importance of agriculture in the community, the fair ambassador competition and how important the Providence Bay Fair is in the community.”
Fair time “is the one time of the year everyone in the agriculture community gets to show off what have made or grown. The fair is a family tradition with the food, rides, and all the events taking place during the weekend.”
“I have thoroughly enjoyed being the (Providence Bay Fair ambassador) the past year,” continued Mr. Dewar. “It was something I didn’t really ever expect to get into, but I did it. I guess someone had to be the first male winner.”
Mr. Dewar was among 55 fair ambassador winners from among the Ontario Agricultural Society member areas at the annual Ontario Agricultural Societies convention earlier this year. “There will probably be 30-35 (contestants) take part in the (CNE) ambassador competition,” he said. As well, since winning the Providence Bay Fair Ambassador competition in 2023, “I have been volunteering in the community working every weekend helping to work on the new stage (40’x 50’ in size) for the music venue.”
As has been reported previously, with the cancellation of Manitoulin Country Fest, the Providence Bay Agricultural Society, with the championing and design work of committee member Wayne Legge, a new music venue stage with the potential to host thousands is being raised and will be operational at the fair, which will see Saturday night headliners Jade Eagleson and Nate Haller, bolstered by the immense talent available on Manitoulin Island
Mr. Dewar was selected as the Providence Bay Fair Ambassador in 2023, which also celebrated its 140th anniversary. He said after being selected, “I’m pretty excited. It’s different but it doesn’t matter that a guy is the ambassador. The times are changing. The main thing is I like to volunteer in the community and to help represent the fair. I have volunteered at the fair for a lot of years.”
In his speech at the Providence Bay Fair Mr. Dewar had provided a look from his perspective on the importance of agriculture and agricultural societies. “The Providence Bay Fair is a big part of our community; it strengthens us and thrives in collaboration from everyone.”
The CNE marks an end of summer tradition for more than 1.6 million people annually. Launched in 1972, Ambassador of the Fairs was created as a way to educate and celebrate Canada’s rich agriculture history and the CNE’s roots as an agricultural fair. Since its inception the program has seen more than 3,000 participants from over 100 communities across the province of Ontario to highlight their knowledge, poise and passion for agriculture.
Mr. Dewar will be vying for the year-long title of CNE Ambassador of the Fairs, and the winner will be announced on August 18.
