FERGUS – The Fergus Lions Club hosted the 44th annual Home and Leisure Show last week, May 10 to 12, at the Centre Wellington Community Sportsplex.
With 140 exhibitors, and a steady flow of visitors over three days, show chair Dennis Culbert was very happy with the turnout.
“In 2022 we had 3,500 [guests] come through the door over three days, and already this year we had almost 1,000 on Wednesday alone,” said Culbert.
“Plus, the Leafs were playing so we’re not sure if that slowed us down or not.”
After the three-day show, more than 3,000 guests had come through.
Culbert, along with five other organizers, took months to plan this year’s event.
“There’s a group of us that get together to plan it. We start in November and have monthly meetings until around April. After that, leading up to the event we have weekly meetings,” he said.
Great feedback
Fergus Lions Club president Margaret Murray is thrilled to be able to raise funds for a long list of local organizations.
“We have sent out $28,000 so far this year in donations to various organizations across the county,” Murray said.
“We’re always looking for new members, but that’s ongoing. Really, we just like the public to know that we’re out there, and we are here to help them.”
Admission to this year’s event was free for the public, but organizers asked for donations to the Centre Wellington Food Bank.
“We’re very happy with the turnout. Many of our vendors and participants have said they are coming back next year. Overall, the whole thing was very well attended,” Murray said in a May 16 interview.
Shiplap set – Danielle Reynolds, Ryan Clarkson and John Post, of siding company Shiplap, took part in the Home Show for their second year. Photos by Chris Zimmerman
Vendors
“This year we had Brighten Up toys participate, which was a huge success. There was a whole play area set up and from the children’s perspective especially, that was very well received.”
Among the exhibitors this year was John Post, owner of Shiplap, a siding company that makes custom siding for houses, cottages, and barns.
This was the second year taking part in the Home Show for Post, a licensed carpenter with two decades of experience in the building sector.
“It’s nice to get out, meet people and have fun, but the biggest thing is to promote our local products to local people,” Post said.
Beneficiaries
Proceeds from the show and other fundraising activities help support club projects including Groves Memorial Community Hospital, Diabetes Canada, Centre Wellington Food Bank, International Lions Youth Exchange, Fergus and District Minor Sports Groups, Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides, Wellington County Learning Centre, among others.
Next year
The show has grown in popularity year after year and has grown to have exhibitors filling both arenas at the sportsplex.
Murray is already keen to get started on the next event and is grateful for everyone who attended.
“We’ll be starting our planning process in October or November this year for the next Home Show. We haven’t really finalized the dates yet, but we have started thinking about it.”
For more information about the show or the Fergus Lions Club, visit ferguslionsclub.org.
