Meet the 2026 Providence Bay Fair Ambassadors

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PROVIDENCE BAY—There are five vying for the title of Ambassador of the Providence Bay Fair and who will go on to represent the fair at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto the following August. They are Avery Barnes, Kristen Bowerman, Silva Verboom, Benjamin Willis and Amara Wilson-Zegil.

Avery Barnes

Little Current’s Avery Barnes is 17 and heading into Grade 12 at Manitoulin Secondary School (MSS) in September. The blond-haired blue-eyed ambassador-to-be says she enjoys riding her horse, curling and spending time with her friends during her days off.

“My biggest role model is probably Megan Corbiere because she’s taught me so much about horses; she’s also shown me so much strength,” Avery says about important influences in her life.

Avery says her favourite thing about Manitoulin is “community. I love being able to know everyone and how everyone feels like family.”

She says winning Ambassador of the Providence Bay Fair would allow her to “represent a fair that has a strong history and plays such an important role in bringing our community together.”

Avery is sponsored by Northland Agromart.

Kristen Bowerman

Sixteen-year-old Kristen Bowerman will be entering Grade 11 this fall at MSS.

In her spare time, she enjoys figure skating, being with her friends and sewing.

The brown-haired, green-eyed Sheguiandah girl says Grandma Linda Bowerman is the biggest influence in her life. “She is always volunteering and doing stuff for the community and is well-known and still active,” Kristen shares.

Kristen’s favourite thing about Manitoulin is “I love the community of the Island and that everyone is friendly.”

“Winning Ambassador would mean getting to live out my childhood dreams because I would always watch the speeches and wanted to be the ‘fair princess’,” she says.

Kristen is sponsored by Bousquet Realty.

Silva Verboom

Providence Bay’s own Silva Verboom is hoping for the title of Providence Bay Fair Ambassador. The 16-year-old dusty blonde enjoys riding her horse, curling, farming, playing piano and hanging out with her friends.

Silva calls sister Marena her biggest influence as “she has always been there for me.”

Silva’s favourite thing about Manitoulin is its many lakes, the people who live here and the Providence Bay Fair.

“For me, winning isn’t everything; I’m just doing it for the fun of it,” Silva says. “It would mean that I am representing my home town.”

Silva is sponsored by Buie’s Grocery.

Benjamin Willis

Twenty-one-year-old Benjamin Willis is a Providence Bay boy who is currently undertaking his boilermaker apprenticeship. In his spare time, Benjamin also likes to dabble in blacksmithing and leatherwork.

Benjamin says his grandfather and uncle are his biggest life influences and says they “continue to share their knowledge and wisdom with me as I learn more about automotive mechanics and agriculture.”

He says his favourite thing about Manitoulin is “the freedom and familiarity offered by living here my whole life as well as the community I’ve grown to be a part of.”

When asked what winning the title would mean to him, Benjamin replied, “It would mean that I’ve proven that I care about tradition and our community and that I’m willing to put effort into something bigger than myself.”

Benjamin is sponsored by Mindemoya Home Hardware.

Amara Wilson-Zegil

Seventeen-year-old Amara Wilson-Zegil of Gore Bay will be entering Grade 12 at MSS this fall.

Amara enjoys hockey, volunteering, participating in robotics, the school musical and hiking in her spare time.

Amara calls her older sister her biggest influence in life. “My older sister has been an amazing role model. Her confidence and strength, her advocacy and passion has never failed to amaze me.”

Her favourite thing about Manitoulin is “the natural beauty and community that has never failed to support me. I love being outdoors and enjoying the woods and lakes.”

For Amara, winning the Ambassador of the Providence Bay Fair would mean “opportunity. It would mean getting the chance to represent my home. It would mean building new skills like confidence, professionalism and it would mean supporting the community that has always supported me.”

Amara is sponsored by McCann Concrete.