Welcome to the Paisley Agricultural Society’s ‘Paisley Path’!
At the beginning of 2019, our Agricultural Society was exploring an idea that would allow us to celebrate agricultural traditions and rural life throughout the year. Inspired by the work in other areas of Ontario, we landed on our Barn Quilt Project. One element of this project is the Paisley Path, a trail of outdoor country art hosted throughout our community. Items on the Path often have a family connection, historical significance or reflect a sentimental memory. Please read their stories for a richer understanding of the symbolism within the art.
We also have developed a new Outdoor Country Art display and competition at our Fall Fair, and have run a series of ‘Make and Take’ workshops for community members wishing to learn how to create barn quilts. We are proud to say that a Bruce County Barn Quilt Trail will officially become part of the Ontario Network of Barn Quilt Trails in the coming months as well. Our Ag Society is grateful for financial support received from Community Foundation Grey Bruce that helped kick off our workshops, and in-kind support from the Municipality of Arran-Elderslie. While not every host is a member of our Ag Society, many are. What all of them have in common is a love of our rural way of life and a desire to share that through outdoor art. We thank them for agreeing to be part of this project. Elements on the Paisley Path are intended to be viewed safely from the roadway. Please respect the privacy of our hosts. Drive safely and enjoy The Paisley Path!
Come see us on Fair Day – always the first Sunday in September after Labour Day!
John Thornburn
President
Paisley Agricultural Society
The Story of John’s Peace and Plenty Barn Quilt Block
The name of this quilt block pattern is Peace and Plenty. I chose the red and white colours of this quilt to represent our country Canada. We are so very blessed to live in this land of peace and plenty. Within the quilt pattern, you will see bow ties. When slaves were escaping from the United States to Canada through the Underground Railroad, a quilt bearing bow ties symbolized that there was a location nearby where people would provide fresh clothes so that the person escaping slavery could dress to ‘fit in’ with others in that area as they travelled. How difficult such a journey must have been, as they travelled north to Canada where they hoped to fulfill their dreams and establish new lives as freepersons in a land of peace and plenty.
We received a grant from Community Foundation Grey-Bruce to kick-start our workshop series. We thank them for their support!