St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School was once more filled to capacity for the 9^th annual living locally fair.  St. Thomas Aquinas partnered with the Russell and District Horticultural Society to promote environmental stewardship by highlighting local farmers and food producers, artisans and community groups and services. An estimated crowd of between 5000 and 6000 people were in attendance between 9:30 am and 4:00 pm. New this year, was a map where people were invited to indicate where they were from.  While most attendees were local, people attended from as far away as Upper New York State, Brockville, Pembroke, Hawkesbury, and the Quebec border to the east  and many others from Sudbury and Toronto even stopped by.   People come to sample local cheeses, chocolates or smoked meats and home-made ice cream.  Other visitors came for fresh ground coffee, organic produce or to learn about heritage varieties of cattle and vegetables.  Others learned about services in the region.  This show really does have something for everyone!
The LLF has grown in 2017 to an incredible 134 exhibitors with many more on the waiting list.  Admission to the show is free, but food and cash donations were received by the food bank.  The VIMY 100th anniversary team provided coat check services with donations going to offset the costs of their upcoming overseas excursion. 
Part of the success of the show is due to the team efforts of custodians, staff and students without whom this show would not be possible. Exhibitors and visitors to the school had nothing but praise for the most incredible team of students who volunteered their time on Friday night and all day Saturday to make the show a success. Plans are now underway to make the 10^th anniversary even bigger and better!
A brief video of the event can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oc0DTu7Iz8