Tobacco no Longer Fairest at the Fair

Source from:  Sat, August 4, 2007 By ERIC BUNNELL, SUN MEDIA AND ST. THOMAS TIMES-JOURNAL 08/06/2007

The Tobacco King has been dethroned at Aylmer Fair. Reflecting the virtual collapse of the once-profitable industry it represented, a competition to crown Elgin's champion flue-cured tobacco grower has ended. It was one of the signature events of the annual fair staged by Aylmer and East Elgin Agricultural Society which opens its gates next week for its 161st year. But tobacco growers who organized the competition which featured prizes worth thousands of dollars, including a first-place trip for two to Las Vegas, have called it off. "The industry is over," says organizer Mark Wales. "The group of competitors decided it was time. They'll revisit it next spring, but I would expect (the contest has ended)." Wales, is a former east Elgin tobacco grower who took a provincial package in 2004 to grow garlic and vegetables, but says the federal government still must offer remaining growers a final buyout. Also cancelled is a junior tobacco competition for up-and-coming contestants under 21 years of age. Aylmer Fair secretary Devern Chmarny laments the loss of the championship because of its unique format. Unlike other contests in the tobacco belt where growers are judged solely on quality of leaf, Elgin growers also were judged during farm visits throughout the growing season on best agricultural practices. "It's been one thing that has made us unique," Chmarny said. Norfolk County Fair, in the heart of tobacco country in Simcoe -- the fifth largest agricultural fair in the province -- continues with leaf competition. But, secretary Cathy Kowalsky notes, the dozen-or-so competitors last year was down from previous years. Smaller fairs in Fairground and Langton south of Tillsonburg in Norfolk also are advertising tobacco events. Enditem