The Dufferin Agriculture Society (DAS) will host its first-ever Straw Bale Decorating Contest in conjunction with the 2024 Carman Fair. The event will be held July 11-13, and decorating will start on July 10 at 4 p.m.
It’s a chance to unleash your creativity and showcase your skills and have a whole lot of fun. The contest is open to any individuals or groups with an artistic touch. No age restrictions. Amateurs and professionals are welcome.
The contest will have two sections. The first is an individual contest open to any individual or group that wants to showcase their skills and win some prize money. The second section is for non-profits or businesses that would like to collect donations for their non-profits or for a charity of their choosing.
The judging for the Straw Bale Decorating Contest (community section) will be a truly community-driven process. The general public will have the power to vote through a monetary voting system. Each decorated straw bale will have a designated donation box nearby. This way, spectators and visitors can actively show their support and appreciation for their favourite displays by dropping voting tickets into the respective donation box.
At the end of the Carman Fair, staff will tally up the donations, and the winners will be awarded based on the top three donations. The winners will receive an extra donation that will be determined closer to the fair date. Cheques will be made out to each Non-Profit/Charity a week after the Fair has wrapped up.
For an added bonus, have your team sign up for a volunteer time slots and for every two-hour time slot filled, your Non-Profit/ Charity will receive $10 added to your final cheque after the Fair.
The individual contest will be open to all individuals and groups, with prizes of $500 for first place, $300 for second place, and $200 for third place. Any theme goes for the individual contest.
“We are really trying to get entries in sooner rather than later so that we can get the straw bales purchased and sorted out in good time,” said Jacqueline Rudd of the Dufferin Agricultural Society.
The entry fee is $50 and includes one round straw bale that DAS will provide for each entry. All entry forms must be returned to DAS or electronically through its website by July 3. For the complete rules and information, please visit www.carmancountryfair.ca or email agricultureed@dufferinagsociety.com.
