Port Hope & District Agricultural Society
President's Message
A Community Harvest - The 2009 Port Hope Fair

On behalf of all the Fair volunteers, sponsors and exhibitors, I extend a warm invitation to you to participate in this year's event. This year's theme is A Community Harvest. It is a celebration of the diversity of produce and products grown or created in the vicinity of Port Hope. When this area was first settled, most of the population lived in the rural areas. Farming focussed upon field crops plus dairy and beef. Consider the diversity of the agricultural harvest in 2009. Crops grown range from grapes for wine to corn for human consumption, for animal fodder and soon for ethanol. Summer brings "pick your own" strawberries and raspberries, and the fall brings apples. At the Fair, you'll find maple syrup, honey and beeswax too. As the area diversified, the population balance shifted, and the majority of residents now live in the urban part of the community. Our harvest has also diversified. Port Hope has a history of talented artists, craftspeople, performers and writers. We continue to celebrate our agricultural heritage; we also celebrate the fruits of an arts and cultural tradition. This community is best represented by the Port Hope Fair - traditionally the place where town and country meet. Please join us in September.

We are grateful for the support of our volunteers and the various levels of government: the Municipality of Port Hope and its many departments; the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and Canadian Heritage.

John Goheen, President for the Board of Directors