Richmond County Agriculture Society ends the year on a high note

The traditional annual meeting of the Richmond County Agriculture Society was held this year in the historical Melbourne Township hall. The group presented their financial report and year-end review followed by elections.

"We are very happy to report this year's fair was a great success,” interim president Donald Beard explained.

Paid admissions were over last year's records, participation by exhibitors, directors, volunteers and a supporting crowd of over 14,000 added up to a tidy profit, Beard pointed out, "giving us the opportunity to finish a few projects such as the roof on the arena, improvements and reorganization of certain areas of the parking grounds, just to name a few."

With several maintenance projects on the agenda for next year's fair, planning for new attractions such as last year with the Chain Saw Sculptor and the excellent antique tractor display, the meeting seemed on a positive note with directors and supporters already talking about future additions to this county fair where their very existence was doubtful just over a decade ago.

"We are well pleased with the event this year and thank everyone who turned out. We've managed to lower expenses in some areas such as keeping the grass trimmed ourselves, storage in the buildings has increased and we're thinking about more food concessions. It all adds up to a big thank you to everyone," said Clifford Lancaster, who suffered a serious illness and had to relinquish his position shortly before last year's fair. A new president takes over the head chair for the coming year. Laurent Noel, with Donald Beard and Tim Keenan, vice presidents at his side, will undertake the challenge of preparing for the next fair. With eleven directors and community support, the future looks promising indeed.