Giving hearts
Members of the board of directors of the Ottawa Valley Seed Growers Association presented a cheque for $17,000 to the CHEO Foundation. From left, OVSGA director Andrew Dawson, OVSGA president David Blair, CHEO Foundation community engagement officer Bob Ghosh, CHEO Bear and OVSGA director Kathy Hardy. Sawyer Helmer photo
The 92nd annual Ottawa Valley Farm Show opened its doors on Tues., March 12 and held an opening ceremony to give thanks to everyone who came out and helped put the show together.
Glover photo
SOUTH KEYES – The 2019 Ottawa Valley Farm Show officially opened for its 92nd run on Tues., March 12 with a message from the event’s director and general manager.
“This show is a venue for farmers and industry professionals to meet, visit and share their passion,” said Emma Lackey, the show’s general manager. “The directors of the Ottawa Valley Seed Growers Association all have experience in agriculture and are proud to have organized and hosted this event for 92 years. Since it began, the show continues to grow with the agricultural industry offering current and relevant information and technology and connecting people.”
The event’s opening ceremony also welcomed Ottawa Senators hockey alumni meeting with the young West Carleton Warriors’ hockey team to congratulate them on winning the Good Deeds Cup. This award allows them to receive a total of $100,000 for a charity of their choice, a winner’s ceremony in their home town and feature on broadcast television.
Wed., March 13 welcomed seed, feed and forage show exhibitors to the awards presentation in Hall A in the afternoon. The Championship Seed, Feed and Forage show welcomes exhibitors who qualified in their local shows in the weeks leading up to the OVFS. Over 15 different awards were presented by the farm show committee members.
The final day welcomed visitors to the Prestigious Pedigree Seed Auction with funds raised supporting the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Foundation (CHEO).
Along with the nine lots of pedigree seed up for auction, there were a number of items donated by organizations and individuals throughout Eastern Ontario. Among the items sold, artist Carrie Keller’s oil painting titled “Go Out and Play” sold for $875 and the “Sparkle in the Rain” lap quilt donated by Ottawa Valley Seed Growers Association (OVSGA) secretary/ treasurer Arlene Ross, sold for $750. It was the Massey Harris 44 toy tractor with wagon donated by the Vintage Iron and Traditions of Eastern Ontario that took top spot at the auction selling for a total of $4,000.
When the last item was sold, the OVSGA topped off the total and announced $17,000 would be donated to the CHEO Foundation for 2019.
Community engagement officer for CHEO Foundation, Bob Ghosh, said the organization looks forward to the event every year and was grateful to the OVSGA for hosting the auction.“This is one of our favourite times of the year. It is a very unique event and every year they keep growing and growing,” he said. “Nothing can be done without the volunteers, the donors, the supporters. Everyone doesn’t realize how much of a big difference they make and how they help each kid and their families to live the best life possible, so thank you. Looking forward to the show next year.”
In total, the show hosted 12,713 people over the three day event, a rise from last year’s 11,675.
