LITTLE CURRENT – The anticipation was palpable this past Friday afternoon as dozens of people gathered in front of the Little Current-Howland Recreation Centre to witness the opening ceremonies for the 2019 Manitoulin Trade Fair in its 15th edition, marking 30 years since the first-ever event of its kind in 1989.
“We are very pleased to have a great representation here today to help us officially open the fair,” said Mike Addison, general manager of the LaCloche Manitoulin Business Assistance Corporation (LAMBAC).
About 5,800 people turned out for the fair this weekend. Mr. Addison noted that the number may appear a bit lower than recent years due to selling weekend-long admissions rather than charging for each day.
Standing next to the podium, after having been escorted in by a small delegation from the Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps Manitoulin, were FedNor director general Aime Dimatteo, Waubetek business services manager Jason Peltier, Northeast Town Mayor Al MacNevin, Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP Carol Hughes, LAMBAC board chair Dennis Shepitka, LAMBAC board member Kelly O’Hare and Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Mike Mantha.
Whitefish River First Nation elder Leona Nahwegahbow began with a prayer and smudge before the special guests had a chance to address the crowd.
“You know the Trade Fair is on when Bonnie Kogos is back on Manitoulin Island,” said Mayor MacNevin, referencing the Manhattan-based Sudbury Star columnist and author who pays visits to the Island on special occasions and who appeared rather pleased at the shout-out.
Trade Fair co-ordinator Diane Newlands said there were several new businesses present for the 2019 fair, including the added bonuses of mascots, magicians and a clown to entertain the younger patrons.
Ms. Hughes noted that the weather has been stellar on the opening afternoon for as long as she can remember.
“This fair is a great way to showcase the businesses we have on Manitoulin Island. Please go out and support them,” she said.
Mr. Dimatteo said the number of businesses present in the 2019 fair was the highest on record at 161 booths. It was a sold-out event. He joked that he was concerned about needing to expand the arena to house all the booths, which would cut into FedNor’s budget for other projects.
With that, the banner split in two and the long lineup of eager guests began to file into the arena. The vendors were divided between the curling and hockey rinks and featured everything from housewares to refreshments and activities to fundraisers.
“We measure success based on feedback from vendors. All the vendors were amazingly happy. A number told me their sales were up from the last fair and people are already wanting to come back,” said Mr. Addison.
This newspaper had an especially sweet offering on opening night—Friday marked the 140th anniversary of The Expositor’s first edition and staffers were on hand to distribute 200 birthday cupcakes, including editor Alicia McCutcheon and publisher emeritus Rick McCutcheon.
The number of vendors meant tough competition for the best booths in the competition. In the small booth category, Mindemoya’s Danielle Legge and her booth for Freshwater Studios came in second place. Top prize went to EagleOwl Party Rentals, also of Mindemoya, which was helmed by Janice Abbott.
Second place in the large booth division went to Manitoulin Radio Communication owners Craig and Kelly Timmermans and their radio stations Country 103 and Glow 100. First prize was awarded to the Township of Assiginack with booth representatives Jackie White and Sylvie Thibault.
The prestigious honour of ‘Best of Fair’ went once again to Island Home Outfitters for their display that seemed to include a bit of everything they offer from patio furniture to watercraft. The store opened in 2017 and entered into the Trade Fair for the first time in their first year of operation. They managed to secure ‘Best of Fair’ that year, too.
“It went extremely well. The arena staff (headed by Reid Taylor) are amazing there. They go out of their way to help us and help the vendors move in and move out,” said Mr. Addison. “The Panthers (hockey team members) that help with the door and parking did an amazing job this year. They also stuck around to help the vendors move out.”
Gore Bay-based Manitoulin Coffee Co.’s Brianna Harris, Alana Harris and Neil Deschamps were selling freshly-brewed cups of their prized coffee. The beans they use are roasted locally. 
Dave Harper of Har-Cor Greenhouse had an extensive outdoor display of his finest floral flocks set up close to the main entrance of the fair. EagleOwl Party Rentals’ Janice Abbott took first prize in the small booth category. 
For the second year in a row, Island Home Outfitters in Mindemoya took home the ‘Best in Fair’ award for their booth that featured everything from furniture to watercraft to clothing. Manitoulin Radio Broadcasting’s Craig Timmermans and Ellie Poirier display their recently awarded second place award in the large booth category. Assiginack’s Jackie White and Sylvie Thibault were the proud recipients of first prize in the large booth category. 
Danielle Legge of the Mindemoya-based Freshwater Studios took home second prize in the small booth category. 
While the adults check out the big trucks in the background at the McQuarrie Motors booth, M’Chigeeng’s Hoyt Corbiere has his eye on this bite-sized pickup that’s a little more up to his standards. 
These sisters know how to have good, clean fun based on the soaps they had on offer. Sue Garbutt, left, owns Manitoulin Soap Factory and her sister Eveline Plaunt helps at the booth at special events. 
Bryce Mastelko highlights the sailing workshops he runs in Little Current, Gore Bay, Manitowaning and Mindemoya. Anyone aged seven and older can sign up for group classes or private lessons. 
Cause for celebration! This newspaper turned 140 on the opening day of the Trade Fair and came armed with 200 cupcakes to mark the occasion. Eagle-eyed readers will note the colour theme on the table, the plates and napkins, the frosting and even the cupcakes—black, white and red all over. 
Vi Rogers from Espanola enters the raffle for a pair of music festival tickets while Corey ‘Barnesy’ Barnes does a live, on-air hit for Glow 100. 
These guys want you to go home with their shed! From left are Kenjgewin Teg’s Kevin Fuller, Wayne Trudeau and Dave Hall hamming it up in the shed built by the 2018-2019 trades fundamentals class. Tickets for the draw went for $5. 
Split Rail Brewing Co.’s Jamie-Lynn Kalmikov offers Elwood Nicholls a taste of the brewery’s newest offering: a hawberry soda naturally sweetened with Island maple syrup that can be enjoyed by all. 
Island carpenter George Kopylov, left, gives Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Michael Mantha an educational session on the types of construction in which he specializes. 
Lesley Phillips of Algoma Manitoulin Forestry Service is running teaching initiatives for Forests Ontario, an educational experience for Nairn Centre’s Oliver Steedman and his mom Julieanne. 
She might not be seaworthy, but this used Crossfire convertible from Manitoulin Chrysler has certainly grabbed the attention of Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps Manitoulin’s Sylvain Boucher. 
The ‘hockey moms,’ Seija Deschenes, Jacqueline Carter, Marj Moody and Tanya Hughson, collected admissions, handed out wristbands and helped people find the booths they were seeking on a map.
