PICTON, September 24, 2026 – A little friendly competition and a whole lot of community generosity helped the 17th annual Picton Fair Bake Off Challenge serve up its biggest fundraising result yet, raising a record $20,225 in support of the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation’s (PECMHF) Back the Build campaign.

Hosted by the Prince Edward Agricultural Society, this year’s Bake Off attracted 28 entries across the cake, pie and cheesecake categories. Despite having fewer than half the entries received in 2025, enthusiastic bidding pushed the event beyond last year’s record of $18,700.

Among this year’s bakers were several members of the PECMH staff team, including Registered Practical Nurse Joessel Caytiles, whose cake was named Best Overall entry.

“We are absolutely thrilled with this year’s result,” said Susie Harrington, president of the Prince Edward Agricultural Society. “The Bake Off has always been about bringing people together, having some fun and supporting our hospital. To raise a record $20,225 with 28 entries speaks volumes about the generosity of the people who come out year after year to bake, bid, volunteer and support this event. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make it such a success.”

Proceeds from this year’s Bake Off will support Back the Build, the Foundation’s $30-million campaign to help build and equip the new Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital.

“To surpass last year’s fundraising record with significantly fewer entries is remarkable and a wonderful reflection of the generosity in this community,” said Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMH Foundation. “We are so grateful to Susie and the Prince Edward Agricultural Society for continuing this wonderful tradition, and to every baker, bidder, judge and volunteer who played a part. Every dollar raised brings us closer to our goal and to opening the doors of our new hospital.”

The Foundation also extends its thanks to the volunteer judges and event volunteers who assisted with this year’s auction.

Since launching in 2007, the Picton Fair Bake Off has now raised more than $84,000 in support of PECMH, demonstrating the extraordinary impact of a longstanding partnership between the Agricultural Society, the Foundation and the community.

“The Bake Off is such a wonderful example of what Back the Build has always been about, people finding their own way to make a difference,” said Nancy Parks, chairperson of the Back the Build Campaign Cabinet. “Whether someone baked a cake, volunteered their time or raised their paddle during the auction, they helped move our new hospital forward. To see this event set another fundraising record is something our entire community can celebrate.”

The PECMH Foundation is grateful to the Prince Edward Agricultural Society and everyone who helped make the 17th annual Bake Off Challenge a record-breaking success.

PECMH Foundation’s Back the Build Campaign is raising $30M to build the new Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital and equip it with the specialized medical equipment, furnishings, and technology that will support exceptional patient care for generations to come. For more information and to lend your support, visit www.pecmhf.ca.

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Picton Fair Bake Off Cheque Photo: Celebrating another successful Picton Fair Bake Off in support of the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation’s Back the Build campaign are, from left, Katherine Nason, PECMH Foundation’s Manager of Community Engagement and Events; Nancy Parks, Chair of the Back the Build Campaign Cabinet; Susie Harrington, President of the Picton Fair Board; Briar Boyce, PECMH Foundation’s Associate Director, Development; and Sharon Morcom, PECMH Foundation Board Member and Auxiliary representative, pictured in front of the new Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital construction site.

Photo: Tanya Moore