UNITY — It’s a delayed anniversary celebration but the annual Unity Fall Fair and Trade Show is marking the 40th year of this popular event slated for Sept. 29-30.
“In a normal year, the community weekend has seen between 1,200-1,400 people come through the doors,” says Unity’s Ag Society, organizers of this yearly event.
Unity’s Ag Society relies on this venture as its main revenue source.
“We have a building to maintain [and\ bursary, donations to youth organizations and Ag-Ed Safety Days are among the things we sponsor, and the income from this annual event goes great lengths in fulfilling these goals,” says a committee member.
Unity’s Ag Society consists of 12 members, but they are quick to acknowledge the many volunteers who help out on trade show/fall fair weekend to help the event run smoothly. Volunteers fill roles in the kitchen, collecting admission, setup, cleanup and everything in between. Ag. Society member, Joan Sperle, says they usually have between 40 to 50 additional volunteers generously offer their time for these efforts.
The event is a one-and-done weekend but there is much preliminary work to do to set up the event. Applications for trade show vendors start coming as early as February and are reviewed, processed and prepared for show day. Fall Fair books need to be reviewed, printed and assembled for distribution, as well as judges need to be engaged. Donations have to be collected, food for the weekend needs to be prepared, advertising arranged and printed posters hung around the area.
As of August’s end, there are 24 exhibitors. Sperle notes they weren’t pushing just yet for additional vendors as the curling rink repair completion date was still somewhat in the air, although they were recently advised everything is on schedule and the trade show will be held in this venue. Initially, the UAS had a contingency plan to move the trade show to the Agroplex, however, they are now officially getting the word out that no change of location is needed and expect more vendors to come on board.
“This is a great opportunity to gather with friends and neighbours to review the summer, discuss 2023 harvest, shop at the trade show and browse fall fair entries, with the added bonus of some great home-cooked lunch and supper options,” the Ag. Society committee says.
As with any volunteer or service organization, membership always needs a boost. Sperle says it will need a treasurer, along with other people to help fulfil their agenda, bring fresh ideas and help be part of all they have to offer the community. Interested persons can contact either Joan Sperle or Pat Welter.
“We are the oldest organization in town and would love nothing more than to keep it going. We do great things for our community,” Sperle adds.
The Ag Society say one thing people don’t know about their organization is that they are strong supporters of youth groups in the community and remind residents that if there is a youth organization that could use some assistance, send them their way.
