| Paid admissions were up by more than 300 at the March 14-16 Ottawa Valley Farm Show, an
improvement management attributes to near perfect weather and a hopeful spirit.
“If it’s sunny and warm, we can loose some of our audience to other activities and to chores around the farm,” said General Manager Tom Van Dusen. “The weather was just right... a little nip in the air and virtually no snow or freezing rain to impede driving.” Van Dusen suggested that, while some sectors of agriculture are suffering cash flow problems, the attendance spike is an indication of the usual determined approach going into the upcoming growing season. “Farmers are nothing if not resilient. They may be down... but they’re rarely out. They want to know what’s available in case this is their year for major purchases.” Increased attendance was just one positive aspect of the 2006 edition of the farm show held at Lansdowne Park which unfolded with few hitches and drew positive comments from many exhibitors. A major highlight was the annual Prestigious Pedigreed Seed Sale which raised $5,200 for CHEO and the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, depending on the choice of charity made by individual purchasers. The sale has brought in more than $66,000 over 15 years. Combining paid admissions, children under 12 who got into the show free, those who staffed the 310 exhibitors’ booths, and people who entered on a variety of other passes, overall OVFS attendance was 10,000-12,000 as it has been for the past several years, Van Dusen said. “We’re not about to get 2,000 people we weren’t expecting. We have a limited pool of visitors to draw from, with farms consolidating and the farm population declining every year.” While some urbanites and rural residents without a farm connection do come to the show, attendance is mainly comprised of farm families: “Because of the schedule at Lansdowne Park, we land in March Break. So hundreds of kids attend with their parents, many of them farmers of the future. This year, we brought in the 4-H Clown Club to entertain the younger set... which went over very well.” Dates for the 80th Ottawa Valley Farm Show are March 13, 14 and 15, 2007. For more information, electronic release or photos, check: www.ottawafarmshow.com. Tom Van Dusen: 613-445-3407 |
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| March 21, 2006 |
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| OVFS ATTENDANCE UP, SEED SALE RAISES $5,200 |
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