Local fairs and festivals struggling due to lack of volunteers
Several local fairs and festivals are calling off their upcoming events due to a lack of volunteers. Meanwhile one festival is thriving.
The Mount Forest Fall Fair is one of many that had to cancel this year’s event.
“It's sad to see the end of an era,” Wellington North Mayor Andy Lennox said. “Unfortunately after 160 years the fall fair will not happen in Mount Forest because we don't have the Agriculture Society or volunteer organization to make it happen.”
It’s a situation that’s not unique to Mount Forest.
The Brantford Kinsmen Rib Fest was also forced to call off this summer's event.
“I mean everybody wants these events to happen in the summer, but nobody seems to want to contribute to be able to make them happen,” said Jeffery Hardin, the entertainment coordinator at the Brantford Kinsmen Rib Fest.
Paired with the lack of a suitable location, getting volunteers has been a struggle.
“It makes me feel exhausted but it stresses us out a bit and it makes the few people that we do have involved wear five or six or seven different hats in putting this event together,” Harding said.
The Norfolk County Agricultural Society said they understand that feeling.
“The volunteer base is aging and I think a lot of those people were uncomfortable coming out of COVID to get back into things,” said Angela Hogeveen the general manager at the Norfolk County Agricultural Society.
The Norfolk County fairgrounds festival is not only staying alive, but finding a way to thrive.
Some of that funding is coming from the municipality through a program called Amplify Norfolk – an initiative that supports numerous live events in Norfolk. It has stirred up a lot of community interested with planned performances from groups like The Beaches, Finger Eleven, Sloan and Bif Naked.
The acts have helped recruit younger volunteers.
“I mean without that support, it wouldn't be possible,” said Hogeveen.
The goal is to: “to attract tourists to Norfolk County through live entertainment events and generate spillover effects for Norfolk businesses, establishing Norfolk County as a premiere destination for live entertainment in Ontario,” their website said.
Without proper access to funding and volunteers, the fall of fairs and festivals could be a sign of the future.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests about relationship with Prince Harry
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they're now named Scouting America
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
Trial begins for Winnipeg serial killer who claims he was mentally ill
The trial of a man who admits he killed four women in Winnipeg is set to begin Wednesday, and a law professor says lawyers for Jeremy Skibicki have multiple hurdles to clear for a defence of mental illness.
New Canadian study could be a lifesaver for thousands suffering from CTE
A first-of-its-kind Canadian research study is working towards a major medical breakthrough for a brain disorder, believed to be caused by repeated head injuries, that can only be detected after death.
Rape, terror and death at sea: How a boat carrying Rohingya children, women and men capsized
In March, Indonesian officials and local fishermen rescued 75 people from the overturned hull of a boat off the coast of Indonesia. Until now, little was known about why the boat capsized.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.