Brent Vanden Bosch of Chesterville is seen with the stool and sweater he successfully bid on during the Prestigious Pedigree Seed Auction held on March 14 at the OVFS. Thompson Goddard Photo
OTTAWA – The final day of the 2024 Ottawa Valley Farm Show (OVFS) provided people with the opportunity to view booths from the almost 370 exhibitors, socialize with friends and neighbours as well as participate in the 2024 Prestigious Pedigreed Seed Auction or attend one of two lectures presented on Thurs., March 14.
The event was held at the E-Y Centre in Ottawa and hosted by the Ottawa Valley Seed Growers Association (OVSGA). “It has been a steady stream of visitors for the past two and a half days” commented Farm Show Coordinator Arlene Ross. She thanked volunteers for their time, effort and enthusiasm in working to ensure the success of the OVFS.
“The weather has been good, the move-in went smooth and attendance pushed records every day” commented OVSGA President Barry Dean, adding “you know, when people are walking around with a smile on their face that means everything is going good.”
The 34th annual Prestigious Pedigree Seed Auction (PPSA) began at 1 p.m. on March 14, with auctioneers Carson Hill and Stewart James providing their services. The bidding was fast and furious with the auction raising close to $31,000 for the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. Dean mentioned how the auction provides an opportunity to give back to the community and the importance of CHEO, with CHEO Foundation Community Engagement Officer Bob Ghosh expressed his thanks to those attending and participating in the PPSA.
This money will be used to support the construction of the Integrated Care Centre (ICC) or 1Door4Care building will integrate many services in one location at the main CHEO Campus. The ICC will provide access for care to those children with physical, developmental, mental health and complex needs and is expected to be a multi-year project.
Ross mentioned how soon after the 2024 OVFS finished, planning for next years show will begin. The results of surveys who attended the event or had a booth this year will be considered during the planning phase, with Ross stressing the feedback is both important and appreciated.
Carolyn Thompson Goddard, grew up in Chesterville and attended North Dundas District High School. After completing her BA in Political Science at Carleton University she has worked as a medical secretary and library technician. In 2020 she graduated from Algonquin College with a diploma in Journalism and has been a reporter and column writer for The Chesterville Record for over 10 years.
