Going to the Ottawa Valley Farm Show (OVFS) was a delightful surprise this year. In an unexpected twist, my colleague from Ottawa, Jonah Grignon, was in Toronto for the Canadian Crops Convention, so I got to go to the farm show.
Being a first-timer at OVFS, I wasn’t quite sure what I would find, but everyone was as welcoming as the weather outside and only became friendlier when Mother Nature decided to bring on the cold.
I have to admit that I usually get a bit lost at farm shows, but the layout of OVFS was so well designed that it made it easy to locate the exhibitors and events I wanted to cover. It also provided plenty of intriguing leads while moving from one spot to another.
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I had heard that OVFS felt more like a homecoming compared to the London Farm Show – which is the only other indoor event I’ve attended regularly.
And that’s true.
This farm show had a different vibe altogether, from the bagpipe-led opening parade to the toy and seed auction, with performances by the Gladsome Gentlemen and Jessica Lavallee. There were many exhibitors and Kelsey Banks’ presentation for young farmers – all showcasing strong community ties.
Rather than feeling like an outsider from southern Ontario, I was embraced by the crowd from eastern Ontario and Quebec who shared their stories and enthusiasm about agriculture.
I got to watch Pamela Lawes from the Ottawa Guild of Lacemakers skillfully create lace snakes on her spindles. It was fascinating to see this art form come back to life.
The quilting ladies had no hesitation in playfully teasing Wayne Fraser, president of Vintage Iron and Traditions of Eastern Ontario, along with honorary president and auctioneer Carson Hill during my interview with them. The two groups shared a hall where they showcased their crafts side by side like good neighbors joking over a fence.
Fraser and Hill explained what makes an agricultural collectible toy desirable and why scale models are so appealing. Interestingly enough, sometimes even just having an intact box can be worth as much or even more than what’s inside; plus just like big iron pieces, everyone has their own favorites.
Kelsey Banks opened up about her journey through brain cancer treatment and how she learned to navigate her new normal while respecting her body’s changes – all while still achieving her personal goals in life.
This all happened before I even stepped into the exhibitor area where I met people and companies I’d never encountered further south or saw any signs of community support from OVFS like at their Prestigious Pedigreed Seed Auction benefiting Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario or their Toy Auction supporting Farmers Feeding Families alongside donations for Ottawa Mission.
This may have been my first visit to OVFS but I’m really hoping it’s not my last!
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