It’s a case where the prodigal child wants to come home.
That’s Stacy Howard, General Manager of the Arnprior Ag Society.
Renfrew County’s first Agricultural Society was formed in McNab Township in 1854, and the first fair held just months after Confederation in 1867 at Balmer Island, later called Stewartville.
The fair moved to the Town Where the Rivers Meet early in the 20th Century and bought land in uptown Arnprior- which just before the COVID crisis, was sold to become a subdivision.
A temporary home was found at the Arnprior Airport, but no property available for purchase that met all criteria has ever been identified.
In 2021 the Fair was renamed as the Valley Ag Festival and is apparently still in the process of reorganization.
At McNab-Braeside Council Tuesday, Stacey Howard came cap in hand.
The Ag Society wishes to host a one day festival on August 3rd, at the McNab-Braeside Township office
site, including use of the Murray Yantha Community Centre building for its popular school arts program and Homecraft competitions.
More importantly, using the MYCC for the Homecraft portion of the event keeps the Valley Ag Festival in line to compete at OAAS (Ontario Fairs) District 2 competitions and potentially at the OAAS provincial competitions.
She’s referring of course, to Little Ray’s Reptiles.
In addition to the one-day Exhibition event, the Ag Society is celebrating an anniversary few have yet contemplated.
Dignitaries at the latter would included the Honourable Robert Black, Chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and forestry.
Howard has also thought about parking- and what to do if you have to pee.
Councillor Scott Brum is excited about the possibilities, but says there have to be clear answers on some potential logistic disasters.
Deputy Mayor Lori Hoddinott, again the municipal meeting’s chair, questioned whether serving alcohol on the August 3rd date was necessary.
She guided discussion toward consensus that the issues raised would be addressed in a staff report to be presented at the next Township Council meeting (May 21st).
The Arnprior Ag Society would be responsible for set-up and tear-down labour as well as food truck permitting and carries an insurance policy including $10,000,000 Liability with McNab/Braeside named on the certificate.
By Rick Stow
