ATV Poker Rally - September 22, 2012

We are hosting an ATV Poker Rally on Saturday, September 22nd to raise funds for the "Roof that Jack Started" project.  Please click on the image below for more details.

Thanks to Scott Walsh for organizing this event and thank you to the sponsors of this event!

MYPIE vs MOLD Lawn Tractor Challenge

A new event at the 21st Annual Napan Agricultural Show will feature the “MYPIE vs MOLD Lawn Tractor Challenge”, happening Thursday August 9th at 7PM.  This event will match the lawn tractor driving skills of the Miramichi Young Professionals and Involved Entrepreneurs with the skills of the “Not so Young” business professionals of the Miramichi Old Lads Department.

The idea behind this event grew as a result of the annual MYPIE Gala which took place this past April.  During the Gala, Downtowns Miramichi General Manager, Wade Hallihan introduced the idea of MOLD upon learning that he was “too old” to become a member of MYPIE.  Napan Agricultural Show Director and Announcer, John O’Shea was in attendance at the Gala and later approached MYPIE Gala organizer, Shannon Daley about having some their member’s trade in their suits and gowns for some good, country fun.  O’Shea wanted to have an event that would not only expose the Napan Agricultural Show to organizations that may not be familiar with the show, but offer younger business people and professionals, a new venue to promote their organizations such as the spectators of the Napan Agricultural Show.  From there, the MYPIE vs. MOLD Lawn Tractor Challenge was created.

MYPIE Team Members include:

• Jason McCarthy - MYPIE Entrepreneur of the Year
• Adam Hambrook - MYPIE Professional of the Year
• Clarissa Harris-LeBreton - MYPIE Community Champion of the Year
• Pat King - MYPIE People's Choice Winner for volunteerism
• Shawn Cripps - MYPIE Treasurer
• April Dickson – MYPIE Member and Napan Agricultural Show Director

MOLD Team Members include:

• Paul Bowes - North Shore Sports
• Paddy Quinn - 99.3 The River
• Chopper Robinson - Miramichi Online
• Darryl McKinnon - West Side Fitness
• Bob MacCullum - Popular Miramichi Entertainer
• Wade Hallihan - GM- DowntownS Miramichi/Founder of MOLD

For more information, visit the Napan Agricultural Show website at napan.ca/show or visit their facebook page at facebook.com/napanagriculturalshow.

Also visit the websites of MYPIE and DowntownS Miramichi

Update - Light Horse Competitors for 2012

The Executive of the Napan Agricultural Show met prior to the Board of Director's meeting on July 30th to review the number of Light Horse competitors to be accepted in to the 2012 Napan Agricultural Show.  The number of Draft Horse and Cattle entries were reviewed and it was decided that all 22 Light Horse entries will be accepted this year.

As there are only 14 Light Horse stalls available and 8 stalls available in the barns, the Executive heard three requests for inside stalls and allowed those requests.  The rest of the names were put in for a draw for the final 5 inside stalls.  Listed below are the people who have inside stalls.

Please note:

• There are no more available inside stalls
• Stalls will be assigned
• There will be no changes to the assigned stalls

1. Gayle Govereau
2. Grace Trowbridge - Inside Stall
3. MacKenzie Fournier
4. Sarah McNeil
5. Kiersten Brennan
6. Troy Williams
7. Paul Reynolds
8. Sarah Stewart
9. Joshua Whiffen
10. Christina Jardine - Inside Stall
11. Zoe Manuel - Inside Stall
12. Alison Jones-Hubbard
13. Jennifer Gregan
14. MacKenzie Tucker - Inside Stall
15. Suan Donovan-Pugsley - Inside Stall
16. Megan MacDiarmid - Inside Stall
17. Kyla Reynolds
18. David Gregan
19. Kylin Steeves - Inside Stall
20. Jessie Oulet
21. Jillian Robichaud - Inside Stall
22. Jared Stevens

Schizophrenia Society of NB - Cow Patty Bingo, August 12th

The Schizophrenia Society of NB is returning to the Napan Agricultural Show for their annual "Cow Patty Bingo".  The event will take place between 1 PM and 4 PM on Sunday, August 12th.

To take part in this worthy fundraiser, you can purchase tickets at the Schizophrenia Society of NB office at 130 Duke Street, Miramichi as well as Bill's Kwik-Way, also on Duke Street in Miramichi and various other locations around the Miramichi.

Tickets are $5.00 each and that will buy you one square in the Bingo grid.  Please support the Schizophrenia Society of NB while attending the 21st Annual Napan Agricultural Show.

Light Horse Competitors for 2012

The following is the list of Light Horse competitors in the order they were pulled out during a random draw, which took place at the July 23, 2012 NAS Director's meeting.  At this point, we can guarantee that the top 14 are in the show and the names shown in bold are in.  

The NAS Board cannot make a decision regarding accepting more entries until all Cattle and Draft Horse entries are received following the July 28th deadline. We will update this notice once that decision has been made.

1. Gayle Govereau
2. Grace Trowbridge
3. MacKenzie Fournier
4. Sarah McNeil
5. Kiersten Brennan
6. Troy Williams
7. Paul Reynolds
8. Sarah Stewart
9. Joshua Whiffen
10. Christina Jardine
11. Zoe Manuel
12. Alison Jones-Hubbard
13. Jennifer Gregan
14. MacKenzie Tucker
15. Suan Donovan-Pugsley
16. Megan MacDiarmid
17. Kyla Reynolds
18. David Gregan
19. Kylin Steeves
20. Jessie Oulet
21. Jillian Robichaud
22. Jared Stevens

2012 Prize Books are Now Available

The Prize Books are now available for the 2012 Show.  The Prize Book has all of the information you need if you wish to enter exhibits in the following divisions:

• Draft Horses
• Beef Cattle
• Dairy Cattle
• Handicrafts
• Amateur Photography
• Foods (Baking & Preserves)
• Horticulture (Flowers & Vegetables)
• 4-H
• Light Horse

It also has information regarding:

• Hauling Match
• Tough Farmer Competition
• Official Exhibitor Schedule
• Entry Forms
• Breakfasts and Suppers
• And Much More!

The deadline for exhibitors to get their entry form submitted is July 28th for all categories except Light Horse.  Light Horse entries have to be submitted by July 20th.

To get a Prize Book, contact the Director of the category you wish to enter or e-mail the Napan Agricultural Show at show@napan.com.

Click here for a list of the Napan Agricultural Show Directors and their phone numbers.  Just scroll down to page 5.

2012 Prize Book and Entry Forms Now Online

We are quickly approaching another Napan Agricultural Show.  As always, a huge part of our show are the exhibitors.  They will be please to hear that the electronic form of the Prize Book and Entry Forms are now available on our website.  If exhibitors are looking for paper copies of the Prize Book and Entry Forms, they will be ready next week.

Light Horse competitors, the rules for this year's events are in the Prize Book and the Entry Forms will be available soon.

Please visit our website at napan.ca/show for this year's Prize Book/Entry Forms as well as the latest news from this year's show.  If you are on facebook, make sure you visit our fan page at facebook.com/napanagriculturalshow and "Like" us for automatic updates.

If you have any questions, please let us know by e-mailing the show, show@napan.com.  Feel free to pass the word on!

Jack Walsh Remembered (1950 - 2012)

Photo Credit - Stacey Walsh

The Board of Directors of the Napan Agricultural Show were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of a former Director, volunteer and strong supporter of the Show as well as a former member of the community of Napan, Jack Walsh.  Jack will be remembered not only for his passion for the Show and his love of horses, but for his sense of humor and his hearty laugh.  Wherever Jack was, he left people smiling.

Jack Walsh was a big part of the Napan Agricultural Show when it started in 1992.  He was motivated and full of ideas for the Show and he always did his best to help out when needed.  However, with the closing of CFB Chatham, Jack accepted a transfer to Wainright, AB in 1994.  That didn't stop Jack from taking part in the Show, each year he would plan his vacation to come home to Napan and volunteer with the Show as Draft Horse Ring Master.  Regardless of the distance he traveled to find work, Jack wanted to come back to the "fair".

Jack Walsh, Ring Master in 2004

Looking back over the years, Jack was always coming up with ways to do fundraising for the Napan Agricultural Show.  So on one of his trips home to Napan, he brought a cowboy hat with him from Alberta.  On that Saturday night of the Show, there was a bit of down time between the Draft Horse hitches and the Woodsmen Competition. Jack took the cowboy hat off of his head and told NAS President, Allen Gilliss to take his hat and auction it off to raise money for the Show.  Allen agreed with Jack and a spur of the moment auction started.  Bids slowly were shouted from the stands, but with most auctions, the bids quickly started getting higher and higher until only two bidders remained; Director Roy Gillis and President Allen Gilliss.  Allen explained that Roy would not give in and neither would Allen.  However, Allen ran out of money, so he yelled out to the people in the stands for help.  Everyone in attendance caught the auction fever and started passing Allen money to keep the bids going.  Eventually, Allen came out on top with a winning bid of about $310 for Jack Walsh's cowboy hat.  Jack's hat is currently on display in the "Hiram Baisley Antique Museum".

Photo Credit - Nancy McLenaghan

With Jack Walsh's passing, the Board of Directors were humbled and honored upon hearing that Jack's family requested that in his memory, donations may be made to the Napan Agricultural Show.  The Board Executive met to discuss the best way to put these donations to good use in Jack's memory.  During these discussions, it was brought up that one of Jack's passionate ideas was to have a roof over the show ring.  With the success that the Albert County Exhibition had of putting a roof over their show ring, the Executive decided that this was a worthy project to put these donations toward, in Jack's memory.  This project will be called "The Roof that Jack Started".

The Board of Directors of the Napan Agricultural Show would like express their sincere condolences to Jack's wife Ruth, his son Mark and daughter Stacey and their extended families as well as to Jack's brothers and sisters.

Jack's funeral announcement can be found here:  http://www.bellsmeadows.com/obituaries/Details.aspx?f=24864

Jobs for Summer Students

We are looking for applicants from summer students who would like to work for the Napan Agricultural Show this summer.  Here are the requirements:

Seed Program 8 weeks

Applicant must be:

1. A student in the current academic year Grade 12  
2. Be attending a post secondary institution in the fall   
3. Be registered with the Provincial Student Referral office. 
4. 16 years of age.

Federal Grant

Applicant must be:

1. 15 years of age (with a parent's signature), can hire up to the age of 30
2. Full time student in the previous academic year and attending school on a full-time basis in the next academic year

To apply for these positions, please e-mail your resume to show@napan.com.

April Directors' Meeting

The first meeting of 2012 for the Napan Agricultural Show took place on April 16th.  All of the Directors are making preparations for this year's show and should have more information to report back to the next meeting, which is scheduled for May 14th. 

Among the priorities are to get the changes in for the prize book, sponsors and grounds and buildings maintenance required after the winter months.

Check back here for the latest from the 21st annual Napan Agricultural Show.