New vision in place

Volunteers needed as plans for Port Morien Fair continue

A 70-year tradition continues in Port Morien but with some new blood.

A meeting to form a new organizing committee for the 71st annual Port Morien Fair will be held tonight at the Port Morien Legion at 7 p.m.

“We are looking for anyone interested in participating on the committee,” said Katherine MacDonald, the new chair.

“Anyone with any fresh and new ideas, anyone from the former committee wishing to stay on the committee and new members as well.”

Last year the Port Morien Fair celebrated its 70th anniversary and the long-serving committee announced it would be stepping down.

MacDonald stepped up to the plate and announced she would take on the organization of the fair.

“There’s certainly enough young people in the community that we can take it over and continue the memories and the tradition,” she said.

The former committee organized the fair for many years, led by Margie MacQueen who chaired the committee for more than 50 years.

“We felt it’s time now for us to do it for the next crew coming up.”

MacDonald hopes MacQueen will provide the new organizers with support.

“She has certainly been helpful in guiding the way for us.”

The Port Morien Fair will take place Sept. 16.

“School goes back Sept. 7 and we’d like to have the schools involved, the marching band and kids participating.”

The vision for the fair this year has already started to develop.

MacDonald said several people have approached her with ideas including the revival of old traditions such as the corn boil and the fair dance.

“I’d love to see an outdoor market,” she said. “There’s all kinds of ideas we just need the bodies and volunteers to pull it off and that’s what this meeting is for.”