MAPLETON – Jolley’s Farm Toys of Alma is hosting a free toy display competition as part of their 10th anniversary open house celebrations on July 6th.
The activity is open to everyone – all ages.
The dioramas can be crafted to be realistic display of a rural scene or a made-up scene.
“The 1/64th scale is popular for making dioramas,” said owner of Jolley’s Farm Toys Nicholas Grose.
“The sky is the limit to what you want to showcase. Rural scene are popular dioramas and often include farm equipment and dealerships, family farm ranging (horse, dairy, beef, sheep, cash crop or mixed farm, tree farms or orchard.”
Nick is a railroad buff and sometimes sets up dioramas featuring HO scale trains with moving cars and trains.
Attendees can paint boards and apply material suited to create the look they desire ranging from grassed area, gravel, dirt field or crop.
They can make various accessories and props ranging from model trees, and hydro poles, to complement their collection of toys and buildings, added Grose.
Grose has been crafting and designing scale farm displays since he was eight years old.
He had the opportunity to travel to farm shows and steam shows across Canada and United States with his parents.
As a kid he would sit and watch the exhibitors design and set up their displays.
“It is a hobby that takes a lot of creativity, and patience,” said Grose. “You have to learn to pay attention to detail, learn how to plan ahead and follow a plan – skill set that can be applied to my job today.”
Visitors to Jolley’s Farm Toys open house will get a glimpse of some of his private collection.
“I believe that toys are for big kids and little kids, so this is such an enjoyable activity because it tickles the fancy of all kinds of toy collectors,” said Nick Grose.
“From little tots, to young at heart, what’s not to like about toys … crafting a diorama display is something anyone can do. I am looking forward to seeing everyone’s entries on display during Jolley’s Farm Toys 10th Anniversary Open House.”
Other activities at Jolley’s 10th open house include touch a tractors and skid steers, ride and drive toys, and diorama displays.
There are two categories, Class 1 – under 16 years of age, Class 2 – 16 and older.
Top prizes for categories include, first place $100 gift card to Jolley’s and a hat, second place $50 gift card to Jolley’s and third place receives a collector’s hat.
The diorama competition is open to any theme and any size and scale of toys but maximum display size is 8 ft by 4 ft per entry.
Themes could include but are not limited to farming, equine, construction, cars etc.
The free event is open to everyone. To sign up email nick@jolleysfarmtoys.ca or call Grose at 519-848-2332.
