Holding the ACE

Returning from Albert County Exhibition where I was given and took the opportunity to take the stage tonight makes me think of the greats I was in the company of.

Rob Moore opened the fair, MLA Rob Moore, reps of municipal councils, Exhibition queen and Ms. NB, and candidates in the upcoming election. Each of us was there but for the NDP candidate, Tony Crandall. I met PANB candiate Lucy Rolfe, of course incumbent Wayne Steeves, and was especially happy to meet Claude Curwin, who I spoke with in depth. In his address, he felt it worthy to mention sitting between the green and purple.

I had to say to everyone that it's a privilage to have been asked to speak at the veriatable instition nearly a century old, and that it is a bit emotional because of the attachments there. Claude and I talked the hollowing out of rural NB amoung other things, and as the stage anxiety wore off, I saw how sparse this years fairgrounds looked. Far cry from bumper car days I remember. The rural roots are the cement for the event along with the dedication of the Committee, organizers, and ofcourse the participants and competitors.

The youth are hooting it up like I did. The 100 is going to be awesome.

Will you go to the Fair?

It's the time of year marked by the turning of the leaves and ushered in by the institution known as the Albert Cty. Ex.

This 97th annual exhibition brings it another year closer to a tradition a century in age. Wow. That will be a milestone. And despite all the challenges for rural NB, it has held fast. It offers inspiration for hollowed out rural NB.

Let the A.C.E. stand as testament to the tenacity and resurgence in vibrant rural traditions.

Now can we bring back the dances?

(here is the events schedule for the Ex. online: schedule