May 28, 2020 Vol. 20, No. 21
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Ag societies focus on other ways to promote local farm families
Plug pulled on Maberly and Parham Fairs for 2020
by Jeff Green
F
irst it was the Parham Agricultural Society. At a meeting on May 21, the board met and decided that instead of holding a two day Fair on August 21st and 22nd at the Parham Fairgrounds, they can fulfil their mandate differently this year. “The mandate of the PAS is to support agriculture through education and building community. We will continue to do just that this summer. Last night, it was decided that the Parham Fair for 2020 will proceed as a Virtual Fair. As an Ag society, and as neighbours, we believe in this community, and unanimously felt that it was important to continue this year however we could. The Parham Fair will continue – it’s just going to look (a lot!) different this year. What stays the same is also the most important – supporting our local farmers and neighbours,” is part of what the Fair board posted in their Facebook page on May 22nd. The 128th year of the Parham Fair will be unlike any of the preceding years. Using social media, the Frontenac News, teleconferencing and the postal system, activities will be taking place throughout
The Parham Ag society will put on a cowboy/cowgirl contest this year, even including adults, but entries will be sent in electronically. As for the Maberly Fair parade? There is no way to replicate a parade online, but the Mablery Ag Society still hopes to run their Pie in the Sky event on July 4.
the summer. Main events and contest winners will be broadcast during the Fair weekend of August 21-22. “Look forward to pet shows, farm tours, photography contests, socially-distanced games, best cowboy & cowgirl contest (with *NEW* categories for teens & adults!), and more,” the post continues. “We are in a lucky position in comparison to many other fairs in Ontario, because our site is owned and
maintained by the township [Central Frontenac]. A lot of other fairs rely on rentals and the revenue from their fairs to cover site costs on properties they own,” said Ag Society Vice President Haley Rose. “We can run events all summer to celebrate and support local farms and the community, and not worry too much about finances.” At a meeting on May 25th , the Maberly Agricultural Society made the “dif-
ficult decision to cancel the Maberly Fair, which was to be held on Aug. 29” said a release from the Society on May 26. “The fair board decided it was better to err on the side of caution and the risk was too great to the public during this time of Covid19. The safety of our own volunteers and visitors to our fair were of primary concern” the release continued. “We have faith that the Maberly Fair will return
in 2021 and with its agriculturally based roots and end of summer celebration it will thrive once again.” The fair board has not completely given up on 2020. They are tentatively planning to hold their annual “Pie in the Sky” event on July 4th, with a few changes to incorporate social-distancing. In order to run “Pie in the Sky”, the current limits on gatherings (5 people, socially distanced) will have
to be altered by the provincial government, however. “We encourage people to follow our website at www.maberlyfair.ca or our Facebook page to keep current with our activities in the coming months,” said the Maberly Ag Society release. The 2020 Maberly Fair would have been the 138th annual edition of the “greatest little agricultural fair in Ontario”.
Cancellation of swim and daycamps due to COVID-19 submitted by the Township of South Frontenac he Township of South Frontenac has made the difficult decision to cancel Swim and Day Camp programs for the 2020 season due to concerns surrounding COVID-19. The cancellation comes after careful consideration from the Township’s Emergency Control Group (ECG) regarding the safety of South Frontenac residents and staff. Following the lead of the provincial government’s recent announcement to cancel the remainder of the school year, the ECG determined the risks of offering the summer programs are too high. “Running these programs at this time would create scenarios where physical distancing would be virtually impossible,” said Mayor Ron Vandewal. “We recognize that many residents will be disappointed that these programs will not take place this year, but the safety of our children and their families must come first.” The Swim & Day Camps’ promote socialization through structured activities; children are encouraged
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to interact with each other and build healthy social skills. The Township recognizes that creating, and implementing protocols that would comply with physical distancing and other protective measures would be very challenging for these types of programs. Additionally, the provincial government has not yet approved the re-opening of public beaches and it is unclear when restrictions around usage will ease. With all of these factors considered, the Township feels that safe, highquality programs cannot be guaranteed and need to be cancelled for the 2020 season. South Frontenac has offered the popular Swim & Day Camp for over 20 years. The programs have been running annually and have become a tradition for many South Frontenac families. These programs also support local youth by providing summer employment opportunities. Under normal circumstances, employing youth is considered a cornerstone of Swim & Day Camps. However during the COVID-19 pandemic there are concerns around placing that level of responsibility
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on youth. “It is not fair to ask our student employees to take on the responsibility for the safety of our children during a global pandemic”, says Tim Laprade, Arena & Recreation Supervisor. “Running the programs would be putting our children, youth, and members of their families at risk. We are not comfortable with that,” says Laprade. The Township is looking forward to welcoming swimmers and campers back to the programs next year when it is safe to do so. For more information regarding the Townships response to the COVID-19 pandemic please visit www.southfrontenac.net.
Swim Programs, Canada Day off in Central Frontenac as well
Canada Day Festivities in Central Frontenac have been cancelled this year, and the swim program has been tentatively canceled as well. For firher informatoin, se the Central Frontenc Council report on page ??
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