Anyone wanting proof of the success of the Drayton Farm Show need only look as far as annual attendance figures and the list of repeat exhibitors.
The show, hosted annually by the Drayton Kinsmen, regularly welcomes about 2,000 visitors over the course of two days, and many of its exhibitors have been with the show for over 25 years.
“The show has been a success for many years … It’s just a really good show for farmers to go to,” said advertising chairman Alfred Rumph. “I think it speaks for itself when there’s very little turnover like that.”
This year’s 28th annual show is April 1 and 2 at the PMD Arena, from 11am to 10pm.
Admission is again just $3, with $1 of every admission going to cystic fibrosis research. The rest of the show’s proceeds – from both admissions and exhibitor rentals – will go to various Kinsmen projects throughout the community.
This year’s show will feature about 100 exhibitors, representing a wide range of products and services.
“We always get good reports back from exhibitors,” Rumph said, adding the show usually helps exhibitors attract new business – and even if it doesn’t, exhibitors enjoy the chance to interact with existing customers.
“It’s a local show and many companies prefer this show over larger ones in Toronto.”
While the primary emphasis is on all things related to agriculture, the show features plenty of great displays and information for people from all walks of life.
Banquet
Each year a feature of the event is a banquet held just prior to the farm show. This year, on March 31 from 6pm to 9pm at the arena, the Kinsmen will be offering a half-chicken dinner for only $12.
Tickets are available in advance throughout Mapleton -at Nieuwland Feeds, FS Partners Co-op, Dobben’s True Value Hardware and Beth’s Place – or at the door.
Toy Tractor
As a special feature, the Drayton Farm Show annually offers a different toy tractor as a collectible souvenir.
The 2009 tractor is a 1952 Case DC-4LP, gas, wide-front, 1/16 scale. The tractors, which cost $80 each, can be ordered by contacting tractor chairman Gary Becker at 519-638-3203 or by mail at RR1 Moorefield, ON, NOG 2KO (order forms are available online).
For more information about the Drayton Farm Show, call Alfred Rumph at 519-589-0113 or visit draytonkinsmen.ca.
Drayton Kinsmen
The Drayton Kinsmen Club is an organization of young men interested in "serving the community’s greatest need."
Through a variety of service projects, fundraisers, business meetings and socials, Kinsmen enjoy personal development, fellowship and a satisfaction through teamwork. The Drayton Kinsmen Club are part of a much larger association of Kinsmen and Kinette Clubs of Canada.
The national association
Kin is an All-Canadian Service organization founded in Hamilton in 1920. There are over 900 clubs across Canada.
Kin raises more service dollars per member than any community service club in the world. The association of Kin stresses personal development through community service.
