Emery Harper crowned Ripley-Huron Fall Fair ambassador; Kelsey Thompson is junior ambassador

Emery Harper is the new Ripley-Huron Fall Fair ambassador, while Kelsey Thompson is the new junior ambassador of the fair.

They were crowned Friday night, at the competition held at the Ripley-Huron Community Centre. Also competing for junior ambassador, were Cassandra Bridge and Audrey Kernighan.

In addition, the Prince and Princess of the Fair, Jackson Blackwell and Eva Schaus, were introduced.

A great crowd gathered for the ambassador pageant, with MC Serena Harris welcoming everyone to the event and the 162nd annual fall fair.

Kevin Falconer, president of the Ripley Agricultural Society, also welcomed everyone, and thanked the volunteers and agricultural society directors for helping put together the fair which is a lot of work.

“The fair has a lot to offer,” he said, “including the competitions, school work and exhibits, the midway, and more. The 4-H members have worked hard to bring their animals to the show ring, so go cheer them on!”

Falconer also presented an Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies (OAAS) Award of Merit to Joan Gillespie who has been an exhibitor and committee member of the fruits and vegetables class at the fair for many years, and a great encourager of other exhibitors.

“She enjoys the display classes and is always ready to show the best of everything,” he said. “She had a large garden and grew many vegetables to take to the Farmers’ Market in Kincardine, from May to October. She also prepared and organized the food for the Bruce County Plowing Match for many years, and trained others to set up and take over this responsibility by getting involved when she knew she couldn’t do it all.

“Joan has been involved with the Kincardine United Church fish fry for many years. She’s always happy and friendly, helping neighbours and friends, and she’s an excellent cook and baker.”

Following impromptu questions, the junior ambassador contestants gave their prepared speeches. The judges then deliberated.

Harris conducted the inaugural Fall Fair Trivia event, with 2024-25 ambassador Brianna Pointon-Yungblut and junior ambassador Maria Morais, along with junior ambassador contestant Audrey Kernighan making up the green team, while new ambassador Emery Harper and contestants Cassandra Bridge and Kelsey Thompson made up the blue team. After the 10 questions, the green team took the win.

Auctioneer Jonny Murray then took to the stage for the popular auction of the award-winning pies and cakes, raising almost $3,000 for the agricultural society.

During her farewell speech, Brianna said she was grateful for everything she had learned and experienced this past year as ambassador. “I met a lot of people and made a lot of new friends. I never thought I would like the country lifestyle but I really love my hometown.”

Junior ambassador Maria thanked the agricultural society and all the volunteers for their hard work to put on the fair. “I had an unforgettable year. This is what it’s like to represent something larger than yourself. I loved going to the Royal Winter Fair, all the parades and everything. To the next junior ambassador, I say get ready for an amazing year!”

When the judges returned, Emery was crowned the new ambassador, and Kelsey was crowned junior ambassador. The judges noted that all three contestants for junior ambassador did a great job, demonstrating a passion for agriculture and their community.

Appreciation was given to the ambassador contestant sponsors: FIG Studio Kitchen, Snobelen Farms, Red Brick Farm Co., and Bridgehaven Farms, as well as the many sponsors, volunteers and supporters who made the evening such a success.

Friday night also featured the garden tractor pull, Kinetic Knights Robotics, the midway, frog-jumping, nail-driving and log-sawing, laser combat and the Ripley Wolves puck and shoot station.

Watch for more coverage of the Ripley-Huron Fall Fair on the Kincardine Record!