PoultryFest finds new home

Perhaps the area’s most successful community event, PoultryFest, has found a new home at the West Niagara Agricultural Society’s fairgrounds.

“Today we are announcing the unanimous decision by our committee to move PoultryFest Niagara to the new exhibition facilities built by the West Niagara Agricultural Society at Mud Street and Regional Road 12,” said Jim Koornneef, vice-president of PoultryFest, last Wednesday.

“There are many reasons for this decision and foremost is that we want to take advantage of the great new facility we have in West Lincoln. It will increase our permanent indoor exhibition space by four times and give us unlimited outdoor space as well. The cost of providing temporary covered space and temporary electrical infrastructure is very expensive.”

Koornneef added that the event board noted they have been lucky with good weather for the event’s first 15 years but concerns about construction in the Smithville core and at the fairgrounds steered them in a new direction.

“Our Board is thrilled to welcome PoultryFest. This will give us two premier agricultural events,” said Albert Witteveen, general manager of the ag society.

Koornneef noted that the event’s goals will be the same.

“PoultryFest will remain a sponsor-driven event with the goal of providing free family fun to its visitors and the new grounds will allow us to look at new events to include and put a fresh new face on the festival.”

He added that a free, all-day shuttle will be provided from Smithville to the fairgrounds.

When asked about the move, PoultryFest’s founding chairman, Steve Ecker said, “I thought I would be the last person to ever suggest that PoultryFest move from downtown Smithville, but times and conditions change and I wholeheartedly support the committee’s decision.”

PoultryFest takes place on the fourth Saturday in June. For information on joining the committee, call Koornneef at 905-979-6696.

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Jim Koorneef, PoultryFest vice-president, mascot Drumstick, and Albert Witteveen, general manager, West Niagara Agricultural Society.