PICTON, November 2, 2023- For 14 years, the Prince Edward Agricultural Society has supported our County hospital by putting their auction skills to the test.

The 14^th annual Picton Fair Bake Off Challenge united over a dozen bakers and 30 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 PECMHF board member, Jenn McKay with Cool 100, and Jordan Smart with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Auxiliary Unit.



Ken Tulloch was the volunteer auctioneer. His skills resulted in this year’s event raising $6,380. 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 key lime pie auctioning off for $1,100!

“We could not achieve our goal of building a new, well-equipped hospital for the residents of and visitors to 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 a pie or cake or come and bid on these delectable desserts. The Agricultural Society has supported healthcare delivery in our community for over 14 years.”

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 couldn’t be happier with this year’s result from the Bake Off for our County hospital. Thank you to everyone who baked or bid to make that happen.”

This donation brings the Ag Society’s cumulative giving total to PECMHF to $34,160.

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 on the future site of the new hospital from left: Ann Galvin, a PECMHF board member; Nancy Parks, Back the Build campaign chairperson; Susan Harrington, president of the Picton Fair Board; Sandra Foreman, a director on the PECMHF board; and Briar Boyce, senior development officer with the PECMH Foundation.

Photo: Sue Vincent