The search for the next fair ambassador begins
It may seem a little unusual to be focusing on the Norwood Fall Fair in April. However, one particular competition is decided well in advance of fair weekend, and therefore requires a bit of a head start.
The fair’s annual Norwood Fair ambassador competition will take place on Aug. 11, and the committee is searching for contestants for this year’s contest. The ambassador program is an excellent opportunity to become involved in the community, gain valuable leadership and presentation skills and, of course, learn more about the Norwood Fair.
The competition is open to all; however contestants must be at least 17 as of Aug. 1. For more information, contact Ashley Calder at 705-749-8748 or email ashleycalder@trentu.ca.
The Norwood Fair ambassador competition is a time-honoured tradition in the community, the present day contest will be 52 years old this year; the first Norwood Fair Queen (as it was called back then) was Marcia Warr in 1972. (A couple of years were lost due to the pandemic, so the current ambassador, Helen Genge, is actually the 50th ambassador to represent the fair).
It should come as no surprise that the beginnings of this yearly gala date back considerably further; to the year 1947 when the predecessor of the current competition was first held.
In conjunction with seven local high schools from the area, the Agricultural Society came up with the idea of hosting a “Beauty and Talent” competition for young ladies. The competition featured teams of three girls from seven local high schools. Competitors were voted in by their individual schools.
The winning school team was chosen by a panel of three judges. The Norwood High School team won the title that first year. It needs mentioning, however, that a team of young ladies from Havelock did win in one of the subsequent years.
Our modern-day contest was reborn in the early 1970s as the Norwood Fair Queen Competition, with contestants now judged on their self-confidence and speaking abilities, their knowledge of the fair and community, as well as their understanding and involvement in agricultural activities.
Changes over the course of the last two decades have seen the contest follow the example set by the Canadian National Exhibition by opening the door for young men to compete, as well as adopting the more politically correct name and title of Fair Ambassador.
On the subject of the CNE, one of the privileges of winning the title of Norwood Fair Ambassador is the opportunity of competing at the CNE in Toronto against other ambassadors from across the province.
It is interesting to note that a Norwood Fair Ambassador has won the prestigious title of Ontario Ambassador of the Fairs at the CNE a total of three times.
A talented young Norwood lady has also placed as first runner-up and several of our gifted young people have placed in the top seven over the years. With such talent in our community, it is no wonder that the ambassador competition continues to be an integral and important part of Norwood’s annual fair.
Norwood has Talent
The Norwood Lions Club is on the hunt to find some of the village’s talented individuals. The local service club will present “Norwood has Talent” on Saturday, May 11 from 2 to 4:30 p.m.
This fundraiser is an opportunity for individuals who would like to perform and showcase their gifts to take to the stage. Anyone wishing to participate is asked to email Norwoodlionstalentshow@gmail.com.
The public is invited to come and show their support and enjoy the show. As this is a fundraiser to help the Lions Club with its worthy projects, admission to the show costs $10 for adults, $5 for ages 7 to 12 and the show is free for anyone under 7. The club’s bar will also be open from 1 to 2 p.m. and again during the intermission.
Barrels of rain
In an effort to help local gardeners or environmentally-conscious individuals and to help fund their community betterment projects, the Norwood Lions Club has brought back its popular rain barrel program for 2024. They are offering for sale adapted plastic barrels for garden use.
The containers are 220 litre/55 gallon food grade plastic barrels and include a lid, a leaf and mosquito filter basket, a spigot/tap, overflow adapter and overflow hose. The cost varies from $60 to $120 depending on the chosen barrel.
Orders and payment can be made online at RainBarrel.ca/Norwood.
The order and payment deadline is Monday, May 6. Pick-up will be at the Norwood fairgrounds on Saturday, May 11, from 9 a.m. to noon. Any questions, contact Barry Walsh at 705-639-1212 or Andrew Greaves at 647-268-2724.
St. George’s rummage sale
Spring is here and so is rummage sale season. St. George’s Anglican Church, next door in the village of Hastings, 38 Bridge St. S. is hosting a spring rummage sale on Friday and Saturday, April 26 and 27, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day. The church also has a large selection of books available at its ongoing book sale, all bargain hunters are invited to stop in and see what they can find.