PICTON, September 16, 2024- For 15 years, the Prince Edward Agricultural Society has supported our County hospital by putting their auction skills to the test.

The 15^th annual Picton Fair Bake Off Challenge united over 20 bakers and 40 bidders who demonstrated their community spirit, generosity, and commitment to Backing the Build for our new County hospital.

The Picton Fair Bake Off Challenge is an opportunity for businesses or individuals to practice their culinary skills by having their entries judged by local celebrities and then auctioning their dessert to raise funds to support the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation (PECMHF).



Over 20 entries were submitted and were judged by volunteers, including Ken Menlove, a local lawyer; Jenn McKay with Cool 100; Jordan Smart with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Auxiliary Unit; and Mike Roy, a member of the community.

Ken Tulloch was the volunteer auctioneer. His skills resulted in this year’s event raising $14,600. These funds will support the major medical equipment purchases needed for the new hospital. The witty banter between the auctioneer and the bidders resulted in the best-in-show wild apple pie auctioning off for $2,600 to Ken Morton of Deerhaven Farm + Garden.

“We could not achieve our goal of building a new, well-equipped hospital for the people of Prince Edward County without support from the community,” said Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMH Foundation. “We are honoured to have the continued support of the hard-working volunteers with the Fair Board and those who bake and bid on these delectable desserts. The Agricultural Society has invested in healthcare in our community for 15 years.”

“Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s Bake Off. Your support makes a big difference and helps us get one step closer to making our new hospital a reality,” said Nancy Parks, Back the Build campaign chairperson. “Third-party fundraising events, like this one hosted by the Agricultural Society, are a wonderful example of how community organizations can turn good fun into big impact.”

The Agricultural Society wishes to thank all the generous people who donated baked goods or participated in the auction. As medical care advances, the Picton Fair Board is committed to keeping our hospital well-equipped for you, your loved ones, and everyone in our community.

“We are grateful to everyone who attends the fair, whether they ride the midway, enter an item as an exhibit or as a vendor, participate in the Bake Off, or volunteer with us,” said Susan Harrington, president of the Picton Fair Board. “We are thrilled with this year’s result from the Bake Off for our County hospital. Thank you to everyone who baked, bid or volunteered to make that happen.”

This donation brings the Ag Society’s cumulative giving total to PECMHF to $48,760.

The foundation is proud of its longstanding partnership with the Agricultural Society and hopes to see everyone at next year’s Picton Fair!

The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to raising funds to advance health care for the people of Prince Edward County and patients of the hospital.

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Pictured in front of the Crystal Palace at the Picton Fairgrounds from left: Ann Galvin, a director on the PECMHF Board; Florence Aman, first vice president of the Picton Fair Board; Nancy Parks, chairperson of the Back the Build campaign; Susie Harrington, president of the Picton Fair Board; Tina Hiddink, treasurer for the Picton Fair and Sandra Foreman, a director on the PECMHF Board.