WESTLOCK – While 2020 and 2021 saw the annual Westlock and District Agricultural Fair cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Westlock & District Agricultural Society is hoping saddle up for 2022 but are in dire need of volunteers.
Carl Larsen, vice-president of the society, said that throughout the pandemic, they’ve seen a significant number of directors and volunteers step down, leaving them operating with a mostly empty table of under 10 directors.
“We just need more help because for the past two years when we’ve had to postpone the fair we get people on Facebook saying they would have helped if we said we needed it, so this is a chance to really help us out,” said Larsen.
Around 15 new directors are needed and responsibilities will involve the organization of specific parts of the fair, such as the rodeo, demolition derby and horse shows. Directors will also oversee volunteers, scheduling, booking and preparing their respective departments
An additional 100 volunteers will also be needed to ensure the event runs smoothly and without them Larsen fears the fair will be shelved for the third year in a row.
“Its getting to a point where it’s too much for us to take care of, we don’t have many people showing up to meetings or trying to help,” said Larsen. “You get all the criticism when you have to cancel something but none of the help along the way. That’s why we need people to actually show up.”
Despite fears of having to cancel the fair, Larsen has already begun the process of booking chuckwagons and chariots for the races while plans for the demolition derby are underway. He remains optimistic the community will come together and hopes to avoid cancellation for the third year in a row.
Those interested in volunteering can contact the ag society at [email protected].
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