Caption
The Ottawa Valley Farm Show (OVFS) is Ontario's longest running agricultural trade show. The show is organized by farmers for farmers on a non-profit basis.
The OVFS began 77 years ago in the Town of Renfrew. It was there that the newly formed Ottawa Valley Seed Growers Association sponsored its first local seed fair at the Renfrew Collegiate. The primary objective of the fair is to assist in producing, grading, selling and distributing high class and registered seed.
Today the OVFS is held at Lansdowne Park located in the center of the City of Ottawa. It is the largest seed and machinery show east of Toronto with more than 300 exhibitors. Displays are located outside in the park, in the Aberdeen Pavilion, Coliseum Building, Civic Centre arena floor and Concourse.
In addition to seed and machinery, the OVFS includes livestock displays, 4-H exhibits, arts and crafts, farm toys, books, tools, equipment, associations, financial institutions, and just about every other product and service of special interest to the farm and rural community.
Crop season in the Ottawa Valley is only a month away so many farmers come to see the new equipment and technology.
The entrance fee is $6.00 with children under 12 free.
The movie opens showing people heading towards the main entrance. Straight ahead we see the Aberdeen Pavilion known locally as the Cattle Castle. Built in 1898 the pavilion is the last remaining Canadian example of the 'exibition-hall' style. It features 36,000 square feet of column free space. The Ottawa Civic Centre to the right is the home of the Ottawa 67s Junior A Hockey Team.
The Ottawa Valley is a region of Canada with its own unique culture and history. The 'Valley" has large and small family farms, many in the same family for generations. Crops include alfalfa, corn, soya beans and hay with dairy and beef farms. Many family farms have a sugar bush and produce maple syrup at this time of the year. mmmmm.