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Volunteer fair

While fair goers soar through the air on their favourite rides at the CLE, over 100 volunteers are on the ground making sure the 120 th annual event runs smoothly.
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(Jamie Smith)

While fair goers soar through the air on their favourite rides at the CLE, over 100 volunteers are on the ground making sure the 120th annual event runs smoothly.

Fair chair Reta Stoger, a volunteer herself, said from booking entertainment to sweeping the fair grounds, the CLE wouldn’t be possible without the thousands of man hours spent by volunteers making sure the CLE is a success. A 15-year volunteer at the CLE, Stoger said every year goes by so fast because of the fun she has putting everything together.

"It wouldn’t be possible without the volunteers we really depend on them," Stoger said. "I keep doing it because I enjoy it it’s something I really like doing. It’s all volunteer work and we put in a lot of hours."

Julian Femiak has been volunteering with the CLE for 17 years.From past president to vice-president of finance Femiak said giving his time to the fair is in his blood. The only paid staff are in the front office and maintenance Femiak said. The 18-member board and committees from finance to marketing are all volunteers.

"It’s just lovely to work with the people here when you see what we have on the grounds here what we have to do and how we look after it we all do it with a volunteer force," Femiak said.

Femiak said his fondest memory of his time at the fair started 10 years ago when the board received $3.1 million to renovate the grounds, tear down the old barns and build the new Heritage Building.

"To get these grounds in the shape that they’re in now is just unbelievable compared to what they used to be before that always sticks in my mind that was a big venture of ours," Femiak said.

While people try their luck at games of chance, 20-year-old Sarah Timchuk sweeps around them. A second year volunteer with the Evangel Church Timchuk said while it’s nice to give back, she also enjoys the free rides and food. On Saturday, she spent four hours volunteering before hitting the rides until midnight.

Everything from sweeping the grounds to cleaning the bathrooms are done by her church Timchuk added.

"There won’t be as much cleaning for everyone else in the end so that’s a good thing," she said.

Zooming through the crowd near the Simpson Street Polish Deli booth, Nelly Meniszie sweeps the asphalt around the picnic tables with lightning speed and a smile on her face. She said the Evangel Church volunteers their time to help the community.

"We believe in God we believe in people and we want to help the people in the community too," Meniszie said.

Meniszie said she tries to volunteer at the fair as much as she can. Although she enjoys relaxing at the CLE too, Meniszie said her favourite part is watching families come together. From kids smiling on rides to moms and dads enjoying themselves, that’s what the fair is all about she said.

"It’s nice to see families together at least at this time they’re together as a family," she said.

Stoger said the CLE has already seen an increase over last year’s 60,000 people. While there are no official numbers, Stoger said she hopes the numbers continue to grow.

"Its looking really good and I hope it’s going to be more than 60,000," Stoger said. "60,000 is pretty good but more would be better of course."

The CLE wraps up Sunday at midnight.





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