The Festival | Community Groups and History of the Alliston Potato Festival

The Festival is made possible through the dedication and devotion of many volunteer members of the community. Here are some of the contributors.
Mouse Over Group Names and Click when underlined to read more:

The Nottawasaga Gilwell Club

The Nottawasaga Gilwell Club is a group of Gilwellians - Scouters who have completed their Woodbadge Part II Training - some active with groups, some not - who like to get together four or five times a year socially - as all Scouters tend to do - and to participate in the Ontario Gilwell Reunion at Blue Springs Scout Reserve every September. As a fundraiser, we operate the french fry booth at the Alliston Potato Festival, with proceeds going to youth activities."

For more information, please go to our website:
http://www.phlip.ca/scouts/gilwell/nottawasaga_gc.html

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The Alliston Lion's Club - Serving Alliston With Pride Since 1936

We are known as Knights of the Blind for our sight programs including support and fundraising for the CNIB. Lions recycle Eye Glasses to third world countries. We loan wheelchairs, canes, crutches, and other health aids, and build paths and walkways, support youth programs and minor sports. The Alliston Lions also operate a very successful Christmas Hamper program.

We support youth through Boy Scouts and international exchange programs, school bursaries, vision screening, effective speaking, peace poster contest, Lions youth camps, Lions Quest/Thrive life skills for youth as well as many other local programs.

Campaign SightFirst II is a coordinated, global fund-raising effort involving all 1.35 million Lions in more than 45,000 clubs to raise US$150 million for the SightFirst program. It is conducted by
Lions Clubs International Foundation, the grant-making arm of the International Association of Lions Clubs.

The Alliston Lions Club meets twice monthly, the 2nd and 4th Wednesday at 7pm (6:30 social) at 60 Boyne Street Alliston.
We are Women and Men who are community minded and need a break from the daily grind.
If you are interested contact any Alliston Lions Club Member.

Hall Rentals Available Call (705)435-3000
Beer Trailer Rental Available Call (705)434-1019

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History of the Festival:

Talk of an Alliston Potato Festival first took form on June 14, 1972 when the late David Willis then the Herald publisher wrote an article suggesting that best way to promote our community would be to hold a Potato Festival. At that time Alliston was the biggest and best potato growing area of Ontario and probably of Canada. The idea was supported by the Alliston Rotary Club and the proposal went before the Alliston Recreation Committee as a way for all organziations to work together.

Will Nap of the agriculture office was elected chariman and Gerry Moon vice president of the first Potato Festival committee. In the first festival, all the action took place on Victoria Street, a list of desired activities were established and groups organized activities according to their areas of expertise.

The Alliston Potato Festival has expanded and developed over its 34 years of existence. Today it is a 3 day event taking place not only on Victoria Street but also on 2 baseball fields that convert into the Festival fairground every August. We are known for one of the biggest parades that kick off the potato festival. Over the years, one thing that has remained constant is that the festival is truly a community affair. It has remained, for some of the non-profit organizations, their biggest fund raising event of the year.

Over the years, the Alliston Potato Festival Committee has contributed to such organizations as:
- Modernize of the Alliston Library
- Alliston Minor Hockey Equipment
- Rotary Club for park beautification
- Alliston Arena Floor
- Signs at the entrance of town
- Fairground Pavilion
- Bandshell At Riverdale Park
- South Simcoe Pioneer Museum
- Improvements to Alliston Rotary Pool
- Siding on Alliston Arena
- Eighth Avenue Youth Centre
- Gibson Cultural Centre
- Community Living for South Simcoe (CLASS)

The Alliston Potato Festival will continue to play an active role in the community and lending a helping hand to various organizations.