Cookstown Agricultural Society looks to the future

Dear editor,

The Cookstown Agricultural Society was formed in 1855. In the year 1882, Mrs. Emily Ferguson sold the Society the first parcel of land followed by a second purchase a few years later. This land has been the site for 148 fairs, the training ground for our soldiers during the First World War, the location for the Dance Hall where Tommy Dorsey played amongst many other entertainers, the land where the Cookstown Curling Club was built upon, the site for many school fairs, baseball, soccer and lacrosse tournaments.

We are pleased to announce that this 'Green Belt' of land is now sold, for a price we feel that was very reasonable considering what other fellow Agricultural Society's are currently able to receive. Our purpose was to ensure that our community commitments were going to be met. The Society now looks to the future with the assurance that the Town of Innisfil will continue to help educate our youth with the construction of a library, soccer fields, and other community projects. The Cookstown Curling Club will hold its own responsibility for its building. Our 'green belt' of land will continue to support our community.

The Society will continue and is now formulating plans for creating new incentives in support of agriculture Educational grants in association with various educational facilities, support of 4-H with achievement days and other community involvements are ideas for the future of the Society.

Our mission statement will show the importance of what we have stood behind and supported over the last 155 years.

This year, the Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies has chosen their theme to be 'Family Fun' and under the new 'breeze for the future' we cannot find it more fitting.

We had hoped that the announcement for the completeion of the sale would have been brought to public attention only when we knew that all of our wishes were respected.

We hope that now those within the community will feel that their interests have been addressed. We thank the Town of Innisfil for their co-operation.

At this time, the 2007 Fair will host a 4-H Achievement Day and the Homecraft competitions are suspended until further notice. Please watch for upcoming announcements.

Bev Nix President of the Cookstown Agricultural Society