By Rori Bennett – Junior Reporter
The 144th Dresden Exhibition got underway on Friday evening, July 26.
The traditional Ambassador program for the Exhibition looked slightly different this 2019 season.
“Although there won’t be an ambassador program this year, there was a junior ambassador competition involving two different age groups,” Alicia VanEsse, the Dresden Agricultural Society president, told the Sydenham Current.
Victoria Pedersen and Rebekah Ball were chosen to represent the Agricultural Society as Junior Ambassadors for the Dresden Exhibition.
Pederson and Bell took part in the parade on Friday evening, learned about showing animals, checked out exhibits, acted as judges and handed out ribbons.
There may not have been a new Ambassador chosen for the 2019 season, but Erin Wilbur who has been representing Dresden as an Ambassador since her win in 2018, was on hand throughout the weekend to perform her duties as the current Ambassador of the Dresden Exhibition.
“At this time last year, I sat in this chair up front, nervously waiting for my results,” Wilbur said during her speech at the opening ceremonies.
“It’s safe to say that I don’t miss that. For the past year I have had the privilege of representing the Dresden Agricultural Society as a Dresden Exhibition Ambassador. In the past year I have had the opportunity to learn and grow, gain new experiences, make friends, and wonderful memories.”
Wilbur added: “However, my time as an Ambassador isn’t quite over. In August, I will be attending the CNE Ambassador of the Fairs Program, to compete for the title of CNE Ambassador. I am very excited for this, and have already started preparing.”
Wilbur said she will spend the entire weekend at the CNE, attending seminars and partaking in some of the events.
“As the Ambassador, I do attend a few local events, but I also had the chance to go to the Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies convention in Toronto,” she said.
“The convention provided me a great opportunity to learn more about the CNE competitions and to meet some fellow ambassadors.”
Wilbur added: “I’ve really enjoyed my time as the Dresden Exhibition Ambassador, and I would like to thank everyone who was part of my experience.”
Here are some photos of Wilbur and the Junior Ambassadors representing the Agricultural Society at the opening ceremonies in Dresden:
