Senior Ambassador's Message

It's September and once again time for the annual Great Northern Exhibition. It's an occasion that the entire community takes pride in and looks forward to every autumn. I have had the honour and privilege of being the G.N.E. Senior Ambassador for 2010-2011. The farmers pray for ran all summer long, but it never seems to come until the weekend of the fair. Despite the rain, sleet and snow, I had an amazing time at the 2010 G.N.E. However, my fingers are crossed for a warmer September 2011! The weekend started off with my other half, the Jr. Ambassadior-Katja Awender-who convinced me to ride the spinning, turning and upside-down midway! The rest of the weekend involved handing out ribbons at the horse shows, touring the exhibits, riding with the McArthur family in the Heavy Horse Show and participating in all the events at the Demo Stage such as sewing, flower arranging and helping out at the Chef's Challenge-congrats to Phillip Tarlo! During the year, I was part of several Santa Claus parades, the Convention at the Royal York and competed in the C.N.E. in Toronto. Feel free to ask me about my adventures! I would like to thank the fair board and more specifically, Lisa Hardisty and Brenda Wilson for chaperoning and bridging the connection between my university life in Ottawa and my fair duties back home! I am very thankful for the opportunity to represent our fair, mostly because this fair has helped to shape and strengthen our rual culture, the same way our community culture has helped me to grow into the person I am now. I encourage anyone thinking about becoming a part of the ambassador program to take the leap of faith, it's an amazing opportunity! Baillie Redfern. 2010 G.N.E. Senior Ambassador