A few local agricultural societies, eager to host fairs in 2022, are hoping a 50/50 raffle will help with upkeep projects in the meantime.
Moore Agricultural Society (home of the Brigden Fair) along with the Petrolia & Enniskillen Agricultural Society and Brooke Alvinston Agricultural Society recently launched an online 50/50 raffle.
Fairshare 50/50 Committee Chair Judy Krall said the three societies are hoping funds raised will help with improvements at the fairgrounds.
"We're all hoping that we can use the contributions to help us maintain buildings, upgrade infrastructure, [and] plant some trees," she said.
"I don't believe that people realize that despite COVID, upkeep continues. The fairs pay hydro, insurance... It's like running a farm."
Krall said a fundraising goal hasn't been set, they're just hoping to generate some community support.
The 50/50 includes a total of five draws through to the spring of 2022. The first draw was held on October 11.
"The winner took home over $6,000. Our first winner was very ecstatic," she said.
Krall referred to the first draw as a learning curve in recognizing how much work goes into fundraising -- especially when so many other organizations are hosting 50/50 draws during the pandemic.
"It's been a difficult 18 months for a lot of organizations and [it's] no different with the agricultural societies," she said.
The second draw launched at 12:01 p.m. on November 11 and will end on December 31 at 7 p.m. The draw itself will take place on New Year's Eve at 8 p.m. Krall said three early bird prizes will also be available.
"The first early bird prize is going to be drawn on November 22, it's $500. The second early bird prize is going to be drawn on December 5 and it's two tickets that were donated to us by Victoria Playhouse in Petrolia and it is for their 2021 Christmas Jamboree," said Krall. "Then we have one more on December 23, and it's a $50 gift certificate to the Big Fish Steak & Lounge."
The next three draws will be held between February 2022 and July 2022. Exact dates can be found below.
Tickets can be purchased at fairshare5050.com. Supporters can purchase three tickets for $10, 10 tickets for $20, 60 tickets for $50 and 200 tickets for $100.
The third draw will take place from February 14, 2022 at 12:01 a.m. until March 31, 2022 at 7 p.m. The winner will be drawn at 8 p.m.
The fourth draw starts April 1, 2022 at 12:01 a.m. and tickets can be purchased until May 8, 2022 at 7 p.m. The draw will take place at 8 p.m.
The final draw of Fairshare 50/50 will start on June 1, 2022 at 12:01 a.m. and will end at 7 p.m. on July 15, 2022. A final winning ticket will be drawn that evening at 8 p.m.