Exhibition volunteer receives national recognition

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This article was published 16/11/2020 (2150 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A lifelong dedication to the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba has earned Kathy Cleaver national recognition.

During a virtual gala on Thursday, she was named the 2020 recipient of the Canadian Association of Fairs and Exhibitions Roll of Honour.

“Kathy joins a prestigious group recognized for their significant contribution to our industry and we are happy to join everyone in congratulating her,” association executive director Christina Franc said in a release.

The award, established in 1979, recognizes “distinguished service by an individual or organization to the Canadian fair and exhibition industry.”

It’s something Cleaver said she’s “absolutely honoured” and “humbled” to receive.

Having been to conventions in the past, she said she has met some of the industry’s more significant movers and shakers over the years, which makes her even more grateful to have received their praise.

“I was just really honoured, really touched,” she said, adding that from this group it feels like more than just a slap on the back — this means something.

“You put my name on that plaque, but it should be 15 people wide … but I’ll take it!”

Cleaver has been involved in the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba in various capacities since she began participating in events in the 1970s.

A longtime exhibitor and lover of horses, she remembers volunteering her time to get ramps and flowers ready for an event in 2005 when she was approached to join the board of directors.

“I said ‘sure’ — it was pretty prestigious, but I went on,” she said, adding that it proved a “natural fit,” since she had already dug her roots deep into the organization.

Since then, she has made her way through the ranks and was even named president a few years ago, making her only the second woman to achieve the organization’s top spot in Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba history.

She has stayed on as vice-president to help current president Greg Crisanti through the COVID-19 pandemic, which has forced the unprecedented cancellation of all of their major events in 2020, resulting in significant financial loss.

As of Sunday, their “Save the Fairs!” fundraiser on gofundme.com had raised $8,256 of its $50,000 goal.

It’s an important organization to support, Cleaver said, drawing from not only her love of agriculture, but also the greater Westman community.

From an agricultural perspective, she said their various ag-centred events offer a first-hand learning experience for young people that links them with farmers to explain how the industry works.

From a community perspective, she said the various events they host rake in tons of cash for the local economy.

“When the fair’s here and the hotels are full and restaurants are hopping and people are buying gas and staying for the week, it’s a big impact on Brandon.”

However, she said the main driver behind her volunteer work has been the people.

On this front, she said she’s most proud of how many young people have picked up the reins to help the organization move forward.

Years ago, she said local businessman and philanthropist Gord Peters told her, “You can consider yourself successful if you have an engaged group of young people and willing to carry on.”

With this in mind, she said the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba is in good hands.

In addition to her executive duties, Cleaver is chair of the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair horse committee, represents the provincial exhibition on the Keystone Centre board of directors and was one of the driving forces behind the Restore the Glory campaign to revitalize the historic Dome Building.

This is all in addition to volunteering and participating in various other capacities over the years.

» tclarke@brandonsun.com

» Twitter: @TylerClarkeMB