February 22, 2005
FARM SHOW OFFERS VISITORS $1 FOOD VOUCHER
Sponsors of the 2005 Ottawa Valley Farm Show have decided to offer a $1 food coupon with every admission into the grounds as a way of showing support for Eastern Ontario farmers.

Directors of the Ottawa Valley Seed Growers Association, which sponsors the show to be held March 15-17 at Ottawa’s Lansdowne Park, approved the plan at their regular meeting recently in Kemptville.

“What with ongoing BSE concerns, record low grain and oilseed prices, and government support plans which don’t cover the shortfall, the entire agricultural community is in difficult straights,” said OVSGA president Bill Halpenny. “The voucher is a small way of showing that we, the farmers who operate the show, recognize those difficulties.”

To be given with each $6 entry ticket purchased on any show day, the coupon will be good for $1 off any food or drink item at the Lansdowne concession stands.

Last year, the association provided discount coupons off the price of hamburgers offered at the 2004 show in support of BSE-battered beef farmers.

“It was a tremendous success,” said OVSGA director John Joynt who proposed this year’s $1 voucher. “There were drawbacks, such as major delays at the concessions so, this year, we decided to streamline the process by applying the voucher to anything from a bag of chips to a hotdog platter.”

While the farm show will lose money off the bottom line because of the promotion, Joynt said it’s more important to show support for the agricultural industry in trying times.

With about three weeks to go to opening day, general manager Tom Van Dusen said the 78th edition of the OVFS is shaping up as another sell-out.

“There are a few small booth spaces left which is typical at this stage of the preparations. Thanks to more than 300 dependable exhibitors, we’re getting set for another colourful, exciting, and informative Ottawa Valley Farm Show, the oldest and largest commercial agricultural exhibition in Ontario east of Toronto.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Tom Van Dusen, (613) 445-3407.
www.ottawafarmshow.com