DRAYTON – This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Drayton Farm Show.
“It began in 1981, but a few years were missed due to the pandemic,” said Drayton Kinsmen Club member and show chair Ray Kuper, who grew up on a hog farm and worked at a dairy farm as a teen.
He said the event was well attended last year, “but it used to be even busier.
“It started out as a farmer’s night. They’d have a speaker and a banquet, then they added the farm show to it.”
But the dinner was “getting to the point where it was costing money. It wasn’t feasible anymore.”
Over the years, the farm show dates have been pushed forward.
“We didn’t want to run the same week as the London Farm Show, and then we want to work with Drayton Minor Hockey. If teams get in the playoffs, they need the ice longer,” said Kuper.
It takes two full days to set up for the show and Kuper noted club officials have streamlined the process over the years and they receive help from high school students who need their volunteer hours.
“The arena staff are really helpful too – the township has been accommodating for us,” he said.
“Last year the Drayton Legion’s ladies auxiliary helped at the door, and want to again this year. It takes about a dozen people running on shifts.”
The Mapleton Historical Society, which will again have a booth this year, has created a special collection to honour the Drayton Farm Show’s 40th year.
“It’s a tribute to the Kinsmen for everything they have done over the past 40 years,” said Shirley Hutton, current president of the Mapleton Historical Society.
Community projects, MRI campaign
Last year’s show netted over $28,000 and funds raised at this year’s event will again be distributed to Cystic Fibrosis Canada and community projects such as the Palmerston and District Hospital Foundation MRI+ Campaign.
This year, the Kinsmen will be displaying the Polaris Sportsman 570 Trail Edition ATV they are raffling off. The draw will take place on Sept. 13, and all proceeds from the raffle will go to MRI fund.
Right at home – Wellington County 2024 Queen of the Furrow Kourtland Pearen, who works on a farm operating John Deere equipment, found a spot to take a break during the Drayton Farm Show. Photo by Lorie Black
“The farm show is the culmination of months of work and a project we take great pride in,” said Kinsmen and local farmer Gary Van Ankum.
“To have a project like the Drayton Farm Show run for 40 years and still be our biggest fundraiser is truly a testament to our community and our exhibitors, who make our show a success.”
‘Mixing and mingling’
The show is so popular with exhibitors, that Kuper has a waiting list this year.
It is also popular with the local Mennonite community.
“They are very supportive; they bring whole families. It’s an outing for them,” he said.
“It’s mixing and mingling, a social event. We just went through winter. People want to get out and talk to everyone.”
He said vendors know that, and as much as they want to show off new innovations, “they want to come out and support the community.”
He added, “The kids get to climb all over the tractors and sit in the cabs. It’s a family event.”