MINDEMOYA—On Friday, September 13, the Municipality of Central Manitoulin presented a show to the public that was new and different. Set up at the arena, the Municipal Public Works and Farm Show was a first-time ever presentation for the community.
Though Alison Sloss, Central Manitoulin events coordinator, was quick to give credit to Ron Klingenberg, the municipality’s road superintendent, for coming up with the idea, he was quick to dismiss the notion.
“I wouldn’t say it was all my idea,” Mr. Klingenberg said. Though he did want to set up an opportunity for everyone to come out and “see some of the equipment available – new stuff, new technology and what’s out there to be purchased now,” he explained. Mr. Klingenberg was pleased with the turnout. “We’ve had a bunch of municipalities and local people come out, lots of children from the school as well.”
Dave Hillyard was on hand, looking after the maintenance inside the building. “We’ve had visitors from Blind River, Thessalon, Massey and Espanola,” he said, “most of them municipal workers, but also farmers.”
Out front and inside the arena were vendors with which the municipality frequently interacts. The market crosses over from municipalities to farms, with the larger excavation equipment, different sizes of backhoes and excavators. All the large equipment vendors—Robert’s Farm Equipment, Huron Tractor, Brandt, JJ Poleline, Gincor, Toromont Cat, Cubex—were lined up outside, with tractors and plows in various shapes and sizes. Inside the arena were Manitoulin Chrysler, Hart Strong Rentals, Beacon Lite, Spears Seeds, Jones Feed Mill, Rylan’s Clothing, along with complimentary organizations such as LAMBAC, Dairy Farmers of Ontario and Manitoulin Streams (both popular with the school age set). There was a steady stream of visitors with a genuine interest in all that was available.
The ‘Touch a Truck’ part of the show was indeed Mr. Klingenberg’s idea. “This is our rubber tire equipment,” he said, indicating the row of enormous machinery out behind the arena. “Because we’re set up on the ball diamond, we didn’t want to tear up the lawn with our steel tracks, but we wanted to give a flavour of the type of equipment that we use every day.” In the line of equipment was the ice resurfacing machine, the sidewalk plow, some fire trucks and all stood open and ready, allowing the kids an opportunity to get up close and personal—also a popular aspect of the event for the Central Manitoulin Public School students.
“It’s not something we plan to do every year,” Alison Sloss said, “maybe every other or every three years.” She too was pleased with the turnout. “It’s been steady,” she said, and deemed the first-time event a success.
by Margery Frisch
