Do you have new innovative ideas? Are you willing to try something new? The Drayton Mapleton Agricultural Society is looking for volunteer directors willing to make a difference at the annual Drayton Fair held in August.
“There are a number of directors on the fair board who would like to hand their duties over to someone else who would be willing to assume their role and incorporate new, innovative ideas into the fair,” said society member Arlie Zantinge.
Anyone who has wondered how to get involved or help out is asked to volunteer for a position on the board and get the answers to those questions.
Year after year, the society operates on a limited budget. This past year, Mother Nature was not kind to the Drayton Fair, which resulted in a deficit in the fair’s revenues. However that opens the door for creative ways to increase revenues at the event.
“The board is addressing the issue of things for kids to do at the fair. We need ideas in order to start planning next year’s fair,” Zantinge said.
The Drayton Fair is well known among the 15 other fairs included in the district. This year a number of participants at the Drayton Fair went on to compete at the district level. The largest number of entries in the school section is an honour achieved by the Drayton Fair. Butter tarts, originally entered in the Drayton Fair by Ann Whale, went on to receive a first place finish at the district level. Marilyn Graham’s quilt received a 3rd place ribbon at the district level.
Lindsay Mitchell, cattle show competitor and associate director with the Drayton Fair, has been showing cattle across Ontario since her childhood, returning home with many first place finishes.
Known for its clay based “power track”, the tractor and truck pulls attract participants from across Ontario. The event hosts the largest OTTPA Pro Stock competition on the circuit, filling the stands with spectators on both Friday and Saturday nights.
“Volunteer board of director positions include attendance at one meeting per month and at the three-day fair in August. There are no financial commitments,” Zantinge said.
“The board needs time and ideas from volunteers willing to become directors.”
Anyone interested in volunteering as a director with the society is asked to attend the annual general meeting on Nov. 24 at 7pm at the Drayton Mapleton Agricultural Building, located at 49 Elm Street in Drayton.
For information on the Drayton Mapleton Agricultural Society or Drayton Fair, contact Arlie Zantinge at 519-638-3323, Amy Hennessy at 519-993-2646 or email draytonfair@hotmail.com.
