Lindsay Fair ambassador earns CNE title

When Olivia Avery was named as the Lindsay Agricultural Society’s ambassador last fall, she thought that was where her ambassador journey would end. Now, Avery has recently been crowned as the CNE ambassador of the fairs.

“When they sashed me and named me ambassador, it was just so surreal. I had no words,” Avery said.

The 20-year-old Bethany resident was raised on a beef farm and spent much of her childhood showing cattle at different fairs. “We grew up going to the Lindsay fair. I’ve shown cattle since I was 10, so it’s been a huge part of growing up,” she said.

During her time as the Lindsay ambassador, she appreciated getting a closer look at what it takes to get the fair up and running smoothly every year. “I got to go around and enjoy the Lindsay fair from an ambassador perspective, which was very different. Normally I’d be pretty much in the beef barn or horse barns. Getting to see everything was really eye-opening.”

Sixty ambassadors from across Ontario competed at the CNE, and once she moved on to the top seven, Avery said it started to feel real. Finalists were interviewed and judged on a wide range of criteria including knowledge of the CNE and Canadian agriculture, poise, leadership, self-confidence, public speaking and overall impression.

“We got to participate in seminars to build confidence in public speaking. We had an interview with the three judges. They were with us the whole time. They ate with us and came with us everywhere to see us in our element,” Avery said, noting that having the judges around them at all times took some of the pressure off.

Avery will receive a cash prize of $3,500 and participate in a series of official duties at the CNE until it closes on Sept. 7, including special appearances, while also representing the Lindsay agricultural community. The exclusive year-long role will take her across Ontario as a representative of the CNE and all agricultural fairs in the province.

“Getting to experience all these fairs and what makes each of them unique I think is going to be incredible,” Avery said.

Earlier this year, she attended the Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies, where she had the opportunity to learn more about the various fairs that run across the province. When it comes to Lindsay, she hopes residents know how lucky they are to have the fair that they do, saying that some places only have a fair that runs for one day.

Avery is entering her third year at the University of Guelph, where she studies agriculture. She knows she wants to go stay in the agriculture industry but isn’t quite sure what job she wants exactly. Avery hopes that by having the opportunity to meet so many people, it can help give her an idea of what she wants to do. “I’m looking forward to meeting people from all walks of life.”

Her role also gives her a chance to network, something she plans to take advantage of. “Every handshake is important; you never know where it’s going to take you,” Avery said.

While she said she’s still getting used to her new title, Avery is looking forward to travelling across Ontario this upcoming fair season. “It’s an honour to have this title and to represent Lindsay.”