There won’t be a bushel full of sponsorship for this year’s Carrot Fest … at least from the Town of Erin.
Jennifer Lennie of the Everdale Organic Farm and Environmental Learning Centre, was at council on July 12 seeking a Bushel Sponsorship [$1,000], to support this year’s expanded event.
Prior to her presentation, Lennie handed out Everdale bags and bookmarks, “as a little thank you for being able to come make the presentation.”
Lennie, the workshop and event coordinator at Everdale, said “It is an exciting year here at Everdale as we reach out for the first time to members of our community to become sponsors in Carrot Fest 2011.”
She noted that for those not familiar with Everdale, it is an organic farm and learning centre on 6th Line.
Everdale has a reputation both locally and across the country for being an environmental leader in issues around local food and farm-based education.
“We’re an award winning charity and we’ve been a proud member of the Erin community for 13 years.”
She explained Carrot Fest on Sunday, Sept. 25 is Everdale’s fifth annual celebration of the fall harvest and of course, carrots.
Lennie explained that the event “has grown from a small fall open house – to our signature event.”
“Last year, we had 450 people attend our event and our goal for this year is to have at least 500.”
Those attending are primarily from the local area of Erin and Wellington County, Guelph and Toronto.
“We have a fairly large following in Toronto, which makes Carrot Fest a really good tourism opportunity for people to get out of the city and see all the awesome communities in the rural areas.”
Lennie said there are a lot of great things happening at Carrot Fest.
There will be a continuation of the vendor marketplace which started last year – involving local businesses and artisans and food vendors.
There will also be local musicians and buskers, Lennie added.
In addition, she said local experts will provide workshops and demonstrations on topics affecting local food.
“It’s also a family friendly event,” Lennie said describing various kid-related events from a harvest fun zone, kids games and potato sack races – where families can experience the richness of the event together.
“It’s gives urban folks a chance to see what we [as a community] have to offer.”
With Carrot Fest is going to be bigger than ever before, Lennie personally invited council members to join them for the event.
She also believed it would be fantastic for local residents to see that the town of Erin supported this event.
Sponsorship packages ranged between $150 to $1,000.
She said that sponsorship is a great way to reach out to local residents and potential tourists.
Lennie also hoped that council members would consider a more personal involvement in the events culinary carrot contest.
People can bring in a dish that features carrots.
Lennie also hoped that the mayor might volunteer as a tasting judge.
“We’ll just tell him that’s where he’s going,” said councillor Barb Tocher who was chairing the meeting in Mayor Lou Maeiron’s absence that night.
“We’d also love for all of you to come to the event,” Lennie said.
“Carrot Fest is going to be an awesome good time and we hope you can make it.”
Councillor Josie Wintersinger noted that she was at last year’s Carrot Fest and that it was very good.
She added that Rod Finnie who was mayor at the time did the judging of the carrots.
“It was a very good day out, and I think you are doing a good thing. However, if we sponsored everybody who comes to the table … we’d be broke.”
Lennie said she understood council’s position.
“While I think it’s a very worthy cause, the town can not be a sponsor to all events.”
Councillor Deb Callaghan asked if organizers had many sponsors at this time.
Lennie said Everdale has just started approaching sponsors and reaching out.
She anticipated that they’d be reaching out to 20 to 30 companies or businesses.
It is also the first year, Everdale has approached others looking for sponsorship of the event.
Lennie said organizers are working on a number of ideas to raise funds for the event.
Tocher’s suggestion to council was that Carrot Fest proponents consider meeting with the town’s economic development committee.
“To me, this would be a form of economic development.”
The committee in turn, could pass on a recommendation to council, Tocher explained.
However, the resolution before council at the meeting was to deny the request at this time, but to come before council during its budget discussions for 2012.
Councillor Callaghan said she was prepared to take on a personal “pint” sponsorship and suggested that Lennie contact the local Optimist Club which is supportive of local events.
