DRAYTON – Ask anyone in Drayton who to speak to about the fair, and more often than not, Arlie Zantinge’s name will come up. She has long been the go-to person for the annual fair and the Drayton Mapleton Agricultural Society.
Not only has Zantinge served as the society’s treasurer for the last seven years, but she has been involved with the society in some capacity for 42 years.
When the opportunity came up to nominate someone for the annual Fair Champion Award offered by the Canadian Association of Fairs and Exhibitions (CAFE), an anonymous board member wrote a letter, and the subject of that letter, Zantinge, was chosen by a panel of judges to receive the prestigious award.
The national award recognizes “that special person who goes the extra mile” for a fair organization or agricultural society, and the instructions said to “nominate from the heart.”
When asked about Zantinge, agricultural society president John Foster said, “Arlie has been the face of the Drayton fair for many years; directors and members have come and gone, the fair is always changing, but Arlie has been a constant steady hand that always makes everything run smoothly.”
Foster added, “It is hard to think of a single activity that the agricultural society does that Arlie does not put her all into, whether that is working hard during the annual fair, performing her roles of treasurer and custodian, skilled caterer or experienced liaison with so many of our volunteers, service providers, governing bodies and community members.”
In addition to receiving a medallion, Zantinge attended the annual CAFE convention, REUNITE in Regina, Saskatchewan from Nov. 17 to 20, where she sat in on a variety of informative seminars, and networked with other event organizers from across the country, including those from the Calgary Stampede, Vancouver, Ottawa, Fredericton and Montreal.
Zantinge described her trip as “the adventure of a lifetime. It was interesting to learn that regardless of size, all agricultural societies are struggling with the same problems right now, and we need some new ideas if we are going to succeed in the future. It was really nice to brainstorm and share stories.”
Zantinge was also quick to add “our fair board is not just one person, it is a group, and we have a really good group.”
Since receiving the award, Zantinge has received accolades from the Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies, Mapleton Mayor Greg Davidson, and Senator Rob Black, who not only attended the Regina convention, but also came to Drayton to present Zantinge with a certificate of congratulations in person.
Speaking on behalf of the Drayton Mapleton Agricultural Society, Foster said, “We are all thrilled that Arlie was recognized by CAFE with this award.”
Zantinge’s accomplishment will be celebrated at the society’s annual general meeting, to be held both in person and virtually on Dec. 10 at 7pm at the Agricultural Hall, 49 Elm Street.
– Submitted by Sue Hogenkamp for the Drayton Mapleton Agricultural Society
