The Huron Perth Agriculture and Water Festival (HPAWF) in Seaforth is concluding its 30-year run.
Originally known as the Slice of Huron when it began in 1992, the festival aimed to educate local youth about agriculture. It expanded in 2006 to include water awareness, transforming into the HPAWF. This free event targeted Grade 4 students and their teachers from Huron and Perth counties.
The festival was cancelled in 2020 due to a job action that was launched at the time by the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario and the uncertainty surrounding school field trips, followed by further postponements from the COVID-19 pandemic.
In line with the festival’s mission, the remaining funds will be donated to local organizations.
"With increasing food insecurities, the festival has donated $200 to each of the 47 elementary schools in Huron and Perth counties through the Ontario Student Nutrition Program, and is honoured to help students in this capacity," organizers said in a news release. "Similarly, $10,000 will be donated to the Huron Perth Agricultural Science Centre, to be developed in North Perth, for the purposes of educating children and youth on all facets of agriculture from safety to sustainable farming. The Steering Committee believes that the new science centre aligns closely with the values of the HPAWF; educating local youth about the importance of agriculture in their communities using a hands-on, interactive educational model. The committee looks forward to supporting this incredible learning centre."
