In most communities there are annual job fairs and all kinds of trade fairs for just about any kind of industry or product one can think of.
And almost always they are organized by career businessmen or government bureaucrats.
But now there is something a little bit different, even inspiring in Innisfail – a trade fair organized and run by teens.
On June 17, students at Innisfail Junior Senior High School hosted its first Teen Trade Fair, an all day event at the library featuring community exhibits and displays by and for youth between the ages of 14 and 18.
“I think it is a good way to get teens involved in the community and to get a better understanding of it,” said Bailey Simpson, a Grade 9 student and member of the school’s Student Union.
The idea for the teen fair, which featured about 20 booths showcasing various student shop projects along with exhibits from Alberta Health Services and Rotary, began at a community meeting in late March. The meeting was attended by representatives from the town, Big Brothers and Big Sisters.
Denise Bouw, program specialist for the Town of Innisfail, said ideas on actions and change for youth in the community were exchanged. She said it was decided to help organize an event that would provide youth an opportunity to network with different members and organizations in the community.
“We wanted to see youth come to the table and be leaders in something they wanted,’ said Bouw. “I hope they can find fulfilling roles in their home town. I hope some of the questions they ask gets the light bulbs to go off in their heads. We want ideas exchanged.”
She said it was late in the year to completely realize the ambitious scope of the fair but next year it is hoped to have representation from the town’s commerce sector, which could possibly lead to job and volunteer opportunities for students.
However, local entrepreneur and entertainer Tom Lindl was approached and he enthusiastically agreed to take part in the fair.
“If you live somewhere you have an idea about how you would like that place to be,” said Lindl. “I wanted to be involved in creating that. Part of that is youth being positively engaged. I have a love for the arts and that is the direction I wanted to provide for them.”
Meanwhile, Bouw and students involved in the inaugural fair consider their event a success, and whatever they found missing can be used as a learning tool for next year.
“I am pleased who is here, what has happened, the response and the organizational capacity of youth in this school,” said Bouw. “We are pleased with the relationships that are growing between the school, community and the public.”
