The tradition will carry on.

A new collaboration between the Curling Club and the Cherry Valley Women’s Institute will bring an arts and crafts show to the County this summer — almost as usual.

The Prince Edward Arts and Crafts Show will run on August 1st at the Picton Fairgrounds.

Curling Club President Ron Stakes noted the club supported the previous incarnation of the Arts and Crafts show for over 20 years.

“We look forward to the new partnership helping the Cherry Valley WI raise the valuable funds they reinvest into the community,” said Mr. Stakes.

“Any funds raised by the curling club will be reinvested in the curling club, which is a County building.”

“We look forward to growing and modernizing this show as we move forward.”

Cherry Valley WI member Wilma de Wolde explained those in her branch are now looking forward to this summer and a new, collaborative show that will support the curling club as well as many other great community initiatives.

In addition to raising over $150,000 for a specialized transit initiative for the vulnerable in Prince Edward County, the former Women’s Institute crafts show and sale supported the ROC, Reaching for Rainbows, local food banks, libraries, museums, learn to swim programs, and the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital.

“Cherry Valley WI and the Curling Club felt it was well worth the effort to continue the sale. Cherry Valley WI will continue to support these community groups as well as individual families that have had fires, life altering accidents or injuries,” Ms. de Wolde said.

The Prince Edward District Women’s Institute announced earlier this month that, after 40 years of organizing and presenting the Picton Arts and Crafts Show, the 2023 event would be its last.

President Kim de Bruin said PEDWI was pleased to learn that one of the Women’s Institute Branches in Prince Edward County would join with another organization to hold their own vendor sale.

“PEDWI is always in support of any new venture that the WI Branches or any organization in Prince Edward County may choose to take on that contributes to the well being of our community.”

She stressed WI Branches operate independently. The new show has no affiliation with the PEDWI Art & Craft Sale.

“We do wish our WI branches or anyone who chooses to take on a worthy event such as their own Art & Craft Sale all the best in their endeavours,” she added.