Left to right, front row: Associate Director Katie Sommerville and 1st Vice President Sabrina Parent. Middle row: Associate director Bethany Elkins, President Hanna van Moorsel, Associate Director April Foster, Director of Bar Management Ben Szaplonczay. Back row: Co-Director of Grounds & Maintenance Justin Vanderlind, Director of Entertainment Nick Casselman, 2nd Vice President Cheyanne Pyle. Absent from photo: Treasurer Carol Johnson, Secretary Cindy Barkley, Co-Director of Grounds & Maintenance Darren Cooper, Director of Homecraft Kim Link, Director of Volunteers Nancy Cooper, Associate Director Allier Krapiec, Associate Director Alex Gillard, JR Director Noah Parent. Courtesy Photo

CHESTERVILLE – Since the 1930’s the annual Chesterville Fair has been a source of enjoyment and education for the local community. It has provided the opportunity to learn about the rich agricultural heritage of the area while giving fairgoers the chance to see what makes Chesterville and the district surrounding it one of the best places to live.

The Chesterville and District Agricultural Society (CDAS) was formed in 1933 and later that year the inaugural Chesterville Fair was held.  93 years later, volunteers with the organization continue to support the local community in a variety of ways.

These include bringing entertainment opportunities to the community, providing winter storage facilities, ensuring the fairgrounds and buildings are maintained as well as planning and hosting the annual Chesterville Fair, which is scheduled for August 21, 22 and 23 of this year.

Cheyanne Pyle, second vice president of the CDAS, explained since the organization was founded it has adapted to the many changes society has undergone. She noted the goal of the organization continues to be the encouragement of agricultural awareness and the promotion of “improvements in the quality of life for those in the Chesterville area.”

For those seeking entertainment in the area, it is during the fair that there is plenty to see and do for people of all ages.  There are tractor pulls, truck pulls and demo derby competitions that provide audiences with excitement and enjoyment.  Homecraft and agricultural entries as well as community exhibits are generally located in the Exhibition Hall, with Kidzone activities for area youth. Throughout the fair there is the opportunity to support local service organizations, grabs a delicious bite to eat and   enjoy music in the refreshment tent.  For those who enjoy livestock competitions and displays these can be found underneath the grandstand or in the cattle barn.

While the Chesterville Fair is an integral part of the CDAS planning, there is a lot of volunteer hours spent to assist in the preservation of “local traditions, provide education opportunities, and create events that bring people together while highlighting the important role agriculture plays in our everyday lives.” according to Pyle.

Since its beginnings in the 1930’s, the CDAS has had to adapt “to meet the changing interests and needs of the community” said Pyle, before continuing how the expansion of “our programming and events” are designed to ensure the continued relevance of the organization and the creation of a larger audience.  This is accomplished, in part, by the organization providing the opportunity for winter storage of vehicles, the use of fairgrounds by local sports organizations as well as for special events throughout the year.

When asked about the importance of the CDAS to the community, Pyle explained it is the ability of the CDAS to bring people together.  This is accomplished in a variety of ways, such as “through the fair, community events, and volunteer opportunities” and building of connections serves to strengthen the community.  “In a time when many people are becoming disconnected from both agriculture and each other, CDAS helps bridge that gap while preserving traditions and promoting an understanding of the vital role agriculture plays in our everyday lives.” said Pyle.

“CDAS has been able to serve the community for generations because of the dedication of countless volunteers, members, sponsors, exhibitors, and fairgoers. We are always looking for new people to get involved, and we encourage anyone interested in supporting agriculture and community events to reach out and join us. The future of organizations like ours depends on community involvement, and we’re excited to continue building on that tradition for years to come.” commented Pyle as the interview concluded.

For those interested in becoming a volunteer or joining the CDAS, Pyle suggests messaging the organization on either its Facebook or Instagram pages, or by visiting the website at www.chestervillefair.com/contact-us.  For those interested in volunteering, there is a form which can be filled out which is located at www.chestervillefair.com/volunteer.

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