By Cecilia Nasmith
Councillor Aaron Burchat made the motion at Monday's council meeting to authorize the required exemption under the Itinerant Vendor Bylaw to permit a Cottage Country Craft Show Nov. 7 and 8 at the Cobourg Community Centre with one requirement – that the organizers collect non-perishable food items for the local food bank.
According to the request, proceeds from admissions and sales will support the Peterborough Electric City Special Needs Hockey Programs.
“I did reach out to the organizer in regard to this, because normally I would ask them for funds and proceeds to go to an organization within the community,” Burchat said.
“With this particular item, I asked for food donations only because the funds go to the organization in question, and it's all volunteer, But he said he would be willing to do this, and potentially top it up with some cash for the local food bank as well.”
The request came from organizers Nancy and Stuart Booth, who hope to make the Cobourg show an annual event. Their letter said that they have organized at least four large 125-to-150-vendor shows annually in the Peterborough and Lindsay areas for the past five years, which average daily paid admissions of 1,500.
Councillor Brian Darling asked if the CCC was available for the dates requested.
“We have worked with these organizers in the past,” Director of Community services Dean Hustwick said.
“If they haven't already booked it and there's a conflict, we will work around it.”
