As is often said, the show must go on – and a local toy show geared to farm toys and displays is now in it’s 20th year.
At the heart of it are John and Helen Broadfoot.
Helen noted there were 32 vendors at the show on March 11, with the size of displays ranging from one to five tables.
John said those are divided amongst display and sales tables throughout the hall.
“It looks like we’re going to have a real good turnout of spectators,” said John 30 minutes after the show began.
By then, the parking lot was almost packed.
Helen added there were a number of new members taking part this year.
“We’re quite excited and we have a waiting list,” she said. “We’re about the only toy show which has a waiting list.”
Added John, “It’s turned out to be far more than we ever expected, and lasted a lot longer than we ever thought it would. We’re still getting tremendous interest from exhibitors.”
Helen said there is also great support from the Alma Optimist Club as well.
“It’s unreal, the amount of help that we get here,” she said.
John explained the new Alma hall is bright and a really good venue for the event.
Twenty years ago, the event started off as a fundraiser for the Elora Optimist Club, John said.
“We were toy collectors at that time, and still are. We thought we’d try this.” He said he initially anticipated the show would run its course in three to four years.
“Some shows come and have gone. We’ve come, and we haven’t gone yet,” he said with a laugh.
Helen noted some of those who helped them get started are now vendors.
John said, “If you are going to put on a toy show, you have to be part of the toy show circuit and go to other toy shows yourself.” He added they’ve also strived to keep table costs relatively low for vendors.
“We haven’t had to fight to get vendors yet.”
Helen said, “because it is an Optimist Club event and raises money for the local community is also a draw. People want to help the kids.”
John added it helps that he is an Alma Optimist member.
