The Lindsay Agricultural Society (LAS) was formed in 1854 for the purpose of encouraging an awareness of agriculture and promoting improvements in the quality of life of persons living in the local agricultural community and beyond.
Throughout the society’s 167 years, it has remained loyal to its mandate, consistently promoting the agricultural community and forging ties through the region with service clubs, youth groups, and other organizations.
The LAS annually hosts the Lindsay Exhibition, the fourth-largest agricultural fair in Ontario. The new LAS facilities have hosted numerous other shows and events including prestigious livestock shows, agricultural specialty shows, home and craft shows, trade shows and consumer shows; all of which add strength to the fabric of the community and agricultural life.
The goal of the Lindsay Agricultural Society is to present agriculture in a manner that is both educational and entertaining to the rural and urban population.
Facts
LAS VISION & STRATEGIC PILLARS
LAS VISION & STRATEGIC PILLARS
Who is the las?
Board Members
Beverley Fisher
President
Isaac Breadner
1st Vice President
Richard Gosling
2nd Vice President
Christine English
Secretary/Treasurer
Dr. Lois Batty
Past President
Suzanne Barker
Board Director
Brian Burke
Board Director
John McMahon
Board Director
Dave McMorrow
Board Director
Kathy Moor
Board Director
Tricia Staples
Board Director
Paul Starr
Board Director
Larry Todd
Board Director
Candace Webster
Board Director
Madison Webster
Board Director
Beverley Fisher
President
Isaac Breadner
1st Vice President
Richard Gosling
2nd Vice President
Christine English
Secretary/Treasurer
Dr. Lois Batty
Past President
Suzanne Barker
Board Director
Brian Burke
Board Director
John McMahon
Board Director
Dave McMorrow
Board Director
Kathy Moor
Board Director
Tricia Staples
Board Director
Paul Starr
Board Director
Larry Todd
Board Director
Candace Webster
Board Director
Madison Webster
Board Director
LAS Staff
Shanice Sproule
General Manager
When Shanice joined the LAS team, she told us she would be here for a year…that was in 2019. We’re thrilled she’s stuck around this long. When Harry stepped away from the organization in January 2023, Shanice threw her hat in the ring to be considered for the position. After an extensive hiring process, Shanice emerged as the successful candidate, much to our relief! If you’ve ever needed an answer on events, on-going projects, or anything LEX related, chances you’ve talked to Shanice, and if you haven’t, stop by the office to say hello and congratulate her on her new position!
Maddie Carey-Tyler
Don Hughes
Shelley Solomon
Finance Administrator
Shelley is responsible for anything related to our finances; whether the money is flowing in or flowing out, the paperwork crosses Shelley’s desk and magically ends up correctly filed. If you’ve been paid by us, chances are, Shelley cut the cheque. If you haven’t been paid yet… chances are the paperwork is still “filed” on Harry’s desk.
Matthew Searles
Matt joined the team as the new Head Groundskeeper in May of 2021 and hit the ground running. If the lights are on at the LAS grounds, chances are Matt is on the job, keeping everything outside the office (and inside too) running smoothly! If you’re a show organizer, a vendor, a volunteer, or a LEX competitor, chances are you’ll need Matt’s helping hand at some point. Be sure to give him a wave as he flies by on whatever piece of equipment he happens to be on!
Crystal King
Crystal joined the LAS team in June of 2021. Prior to working with us, Crystal had been responsible for more than 1,000 kids…goat kids that is (we had to!) She enjoys working outside and was looking for a change and boy are we happy she found us! Chances are, if you see Matt, Crystal isn’t far behind!
Shanice Sproule
General Manager
When Shanice joined the LAS team, she told us she would be here for a year…that was in 2019. We’re thrilled she’s stuck around this long. When Harry stepped away from the organization in January 2023, Shanice was the obvious choice as the person appointed to the role of Interim General Manager to keep things running smoothly as we complete a formal hiring process. If you’ve ever needed an answer on events, on-going projects, or anything LEX related, chances you’ve talked to Shanice!
Shelley Solomon
Shelley is responsible for anything related to our finances; whether the money is flowing in or flowing out, the paperwork crosses Shelley’s desk and magically ends up correctly filed. If you’ve been paid by us, chances are, Shelley cut the cheque. If you haven’t been paid yet… chances are the paperwork is still “filed” on Harry’s desk.
Maddie Carey-Tyler
Don Hughes
Matthew Searles
Matt joined the team as the new Head Groundskeeper in May of 2021 and hit the ground running. If the lights are on at the LAS grounds, chances are Matt is on the job, keeping everything outside the office (and inside too) running smoothly! If you’re a show organizer, a vendor, a volunteer, or a LEX competitor, chances are you’ll need Matt’s helping hand at some point so be sure to give him a wave as he flies by on whatever piece of equipment he happens to be on!
Crystal King
Crystal joined the LAS team in June of 2021. Prior to working with us, Crystal had been responsible for more than 1,000 kids…goat kids that is (we had to!) She enjoys working outside and was looking for a change and boy are we happy she found us! Chances are, if you see Matt, Crystal isn’t far behind!
the COMMITTEES
the COMMITTEES
AG AWARENESS
Committee Chair:
Jack Kyle
This committee is responsible for providing agriculture education programming at the LEX and organizes other events throughout the year that focus on delivering accessible agriculture education to the community.
COMMUNITY BONDS
Committee Co-Chair:
Chris English & Isaac Breadner
The Community Bonds committee was created in 2021 to manage Project Prosper and the community bonds investment raise in order to build the KOA campground on the LAS grounds.
HOMECRAFT
Committee Chair:
Suzanne Barker
The Homecraft committee is responsible for organizing the Homecraft competition at the LEX each year.
MARKET LIVESTOCK
Committee Chair:
Dr. Lois Batty
The Market Livestock committee is responsible for organizing the Market Livestock Show & Sale at the LEX each year. This committee has representatives from each of the species committees that are represented at the show, in addition to other local meat producers.
SPOTLIGHT ON AGRICULTURE
Committee Chair:
Robin Brown
The Spotlight on Agriculture committee is responsible for organizing the Spotlight on Agriculture Awards Gala that is held annually. This event recognizes excellence in agriculture within the local community
AG PRODUCTS
Committee Chair:
Lisa Bowen
The Agriculture Products committee is responsible for organizing the Ag Products competition at the LEX each year.
HORSE PULL
Committee Chair:
Tom Harrison
The Horse Pull committee is responsible for organizing the Horse Pull competition at the LEX each year.
MERRY & BRIGHT FESTIVAL
Committee Chair:
Candace Buckley
This committee was formed out of the Parade committee in 2020 after organizing the first Merry & Bright Festival. The Merry & Bright Festival was first hosted in 2020 as a way to provide a fundraising opportunity for the LAS and four additional partner organizations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This event has since been adopted as an annual event.
TASTE OF KAWARTHA
Committee Chair:
Jack Kyle
The Taste of Kawartha committee is a Ag Awareness sub-committee. This committee is responsible for organizing the Taste of Kawartha event for local grade 3 students. This event aims to educate students on the importance of agriculture by bringing multiple commodity groups together for one event that provides ag ed that is aligned with the grade 3 school curriculum.
AMBASSADOR OF THE FAIR
Committee co-Chairs:
Tricia Staples
The Ambassador of the Fair committee is responsible for organizing the Ambassador of the Fair competition at the LEX each year.
DAIRY (HOLSTEIN)
Committee Chair:
Jason Millen
The Dairy committee is responsible for organizing the Holstein competition at the LEX each year.
HORTICULTURE
Committee Chair:
Evelyn Chambers
The Horticulture committee is responsible for organizing the Horticulture competition at the LEX each year.
MILKING SHORTHORNS
Committee Chair:
Ryan Barrett
The Milking Shorthorn committee is responsible for organizing the National Milking Shorthorn Show at the LEX each year.
TRUCK & TRACTOR PULL
Committee Chair:
Joan Swain
The Truck & Tractor Pull committee is responsible for organizing the Truck & Tractor Pull at the LEX each year.
Boy & Boot Project Committee (adhoc)
Committee Chair:
Dick Karelsen
This committee was formed for the purpose of installing the commemorative WWII statue called “The Boy and the Boot” on the island in front of the LEX Office.
DAIRY GOAT
Committee Chair:
Natalie Mitchell
The Dairy Goat committee is responsible for organizing the Dairy Goat competition at the LEX each year.
HUNTER JUMPER
Committee Chair:
Melanie Stainton
The Hunter Jumper committee is responsible for organizing the Hunter Jumper Show at the LEX each year.
LEX PARADE
Committee Chair:
Adam Hayward
The Parade Committee is responsible for organizing and facilitating the LEX parade each year. The parade takes place on Opening Day of the Lindsay Exhibition.
VENDOR SHOW
Committee Chair:
Kathy Moor
This committee is responsible for organizing the vendor shows that are organized by the Lindsay Agricultural Society. These currently include the Spring and Fall Home & Living Shows in addition to the LAS Craft Marketplace & Gift Show. This committee meets frequently throughout the year.
Beef
Committee Chair:
Michael Ormiston
The Beef committee is responsible for organizing the Beef competitions at the LEX each year.
Fundraising
Committee Chair:
Isaac Breadner
This committee was formed in 2020 with the goal of ensuring the LAS had sufficient financial support from the community to survive the COVID-19 pandemic.
JUNIOR ARTS & CRAFTS
Committee Chair:
Garry Schubert
The Junior Arts committee is responsible for organizing the Junior Arts & Crafts competition at the LEX each year.
POULTRY
Committee Chair:
Leanne Ashton
The Poultry committee is responsible for organizing the Poultry Show & Sale at the LEX each year.
VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION
Committee Chair:
Evelyn Chambers
The Volunteer Recognition committee is responsible for organizing the Volunteer Appreciation event each year, in addition to ensuring volunteers are appropriately acknowledged for their service, keeping track of volunteers at each event, and ensuring their years of service are tracked accurately. This committee also oversees the selection of the Outstanding Volunteer of the Year.
CAMPGROUND
Committee Chair:
Len Dawson
The Campground committee is responsible for overseeing the KOA Campground project at the LEX. This committee meets frequently throughout the year.
HEAVY HORSE
Committee Chair:
Steven Norris
The Heavy Horse committee is responsible for organizing the Heavy Horse Show at the LEX each year.
LIGHT HORSE
Committee Chair:
Lynn Tompkins (Burkholder)
The Light Horse committee is responsible for organizing the Light Horse Show at the LEX each year.
SHEEP
Committee Chair:
Kattie Sims
The Sheep committee is responsible for organizing the Sheep Show at the LEX each year.
OUR CONTACT INFORMATION
705-324-5551
info@lindsayex.com
354 Angeline St. S., Lindsay, ON K9V 4R2
705-324-5551
info@lindsayex.com
354 Angeline St. S., Lindsay, ON K9V 4R2
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