Ripley's MacDonald named Ambassador of the Fairs at Toronto's CNE

BY SCOTT STEPHENSON

The slogan “Let’s Go To The Ex” is an apt and excellent representation of what makes the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) such a special event. It subtly indicates that this is the Fair of Fairs, a magical place containing such a vast variety of entertainment options that one need not investigate the goings-on ahead of time - just arrive and you’ll be sure to find something you like. There’s a midway to end all midways, thrilling rides, live music, gambling, the world’s wildest food, inventive cocktails, and hundreds of vendors selling everything from hot sauce to hot tubs. It’s an absolute onslaught of overwhelming sensory delights.

 

But underneath all that razzamatazz, at its heart, the CNE is still an agricultural fair, dedicated to bringing together the rural and the urban. There are many educational opportunities for city-dwellers to learn about where their food comes from, like the livestock exhibits in The Farm Building, while rural communities all over Ontario send their best and brightest young people to compete in the Ambassador of the Fairs Competition while experiencing all that Toronto has to offer. On Sunday, The Citizen made the trip to The Big Smoke to watch the CNE Fair Ambassador competition at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. 

 

There is a sort of cultural exchange that happens at the CNE. Ambassadors from all over Ontario came together at the Exhibition Grounds to represent their communities and vie for the prestigious title of CNE Ambassador of the Fairs - a year-long appointment that offers one lucky young person a unique opportunity to advocate for agriculture all over the province. Huron County was well served by three Ambassadors - Ashlyn Hill came as a representative of the Howick Agricultural Society, the Huron Central Agricultural Society sent Maria Pot, and Emma Robinson was there for the Seaforth Agricultural Society. Brussels Fall Fair Ambassador Loretta Higgins was unable to attend, as she was part of a family wedding.

 

Each contestant wrote and delivered a short speech to the public on one of the following subjects: agriculture, the importance of agricultural societies, what makes your fair special, pride of place, or what it means to be a Canadian. All three of Huron County’s Ambassadors eschewed broader topics like being Canadian, each choosing instead to speak about a specific agricultural issue about which they feel passionate. Hill advocated for an overall greater appreciation for those who steward the land that produces the food we eat. “Agriculture is more than just food production - it’s a way of life,” she declared.

 

Pot spoke about the importance of practising preservation to ensure a healthy future for agriculture in Ontario. “We must embrace practices that conserve resources, minimize greenhouse gas emissions and enhance biodiversity,” she explained.
Robinson’s speech was a persuasive argument that supported the use of GMO crops. She spoke about the rigorous testing used in GMO development, and painted a picture of a brighter future made possible by this oft-maligned technology, saying, “Imagine crops that yield more while using less land, leaving more space for our forests and wetlands.”

 

There were other stand-out speeches from competitors outside Huron County. In just over a minute, Lucknow’s Shelby Barger succinctly explained how the interconnected economic network of agricultural communities makes small towns resilient. “We are investing in our community’s future by creating a sustainable cycle that benefits everyone.”

 

The agricultural interests of Teeswater were ably represented by their Ambassador, Erica Haldenby. She chose to speak about the vitality that runs through small towns, saying that “Farmers and those involved in agriculture truly are the ones that hold our communities together.”

 

Kari Hill of the Six Nations Agricultural Society got the audience involved in her call-and-answer speech about what makes her fair special. “What makes it special is looking at all of the Indigenous arts and crafts. I get to see my community’s best beaders, sewers, bakers, carvers and artists show off what they’ve made throughout the year. This is an expression of our unique culture,” she explained. Hill went on to win the congeniality award, to the surprise of no one.

 

When Wilmot Ambassador Maddy Henhoeffer spoke about the importance of her agricultural society, it really resonated with the crowd. “My home society is trying to stop the land expropriation of 770 acres of pure rich farmland down to the road from my very own home. They’re trying to help save the jobs and homes of so many. It’s not just important what they do inside of our fair - it’s even more important what they do outside of our fair,” she stated passionately.

 

Ripley’s representative, Hannah MacDonald, also spoke about the important role her fair plays as a community builder for her town of only 600 people, saying that, “It’s the deep-rooted traditions that bind us together.” It was a rousing speech, and MacDonald went on to make all 600 of those Ripley residents extremely proud by winning the whole competition and becoming the new CNE Ambassador of the Fairs.

 

All of these young people’s words were especially poignant against the backdrop of the CNE, which is well known for offering an eye-popping array of outrageous edibles. Each Nashville Hot Tater Twister was once a humble potato, and every Deep-fried Flaming Hot Cheeto Pickle Dog began its journey in a verdant field. Feeding the thousands at this event requires a Herculean effort from farmers all over the world, and the Fair Ambassadors are here to ensure that effort gets the appreciation it deserves.