
Fundraise for the Cassette Event Center
Tax deductible
The Cassette Event Center is a new building constructed in honor of Bob and Evelyn Cassette, and will be used to benefit the Ossipee Valley Agricultural Society. It is currently under construction, and we are fundraising to finish the interior of the center.


Phil Cassette, (pictured above with four generations of the Cassette Family) is an Ossipee Valley Fair member and has been an exhibitor for more than four decades. In 2022 he made a very generous gift of $75,000 to the fair, to honor the memory of his parents, Bob and Evelyn Cassette.
Evelyn (below) was named the 'goodwill ambassador' of the family, and held that role through the many years that earned the family recognition from the ADGA Pioneers Program. Bob, pictured on the main photo for this fundraiser, was instrumental in the family's growth of their business from a 4-H project to a nationally recognized farm with over 110 permanent grand champions.

With this funding, we have been able to finish the site work, foundation, septic, electric, and shell (with windows and doors) of the new Cassette Event Center.

Phil’s wish is that the Cassette Event Center will provide a useful space for the fair and the community – and that the fair will realize some much-needed ongoing income from the rental of the facility. But, we need your help!
The Ossipee Valley Agricultural Society invites your participation in finishing the interior and furnishing the Cassette Event Center. This center will be an important part of the fair each year and will help ensure that the Agricultural Society can sustain itself for many years in the future.

The Center will be a gathering place for the Ossipee Valley Fair family – and the communities of the Ossipee Valley. Facilities will include a warming kitchen for caterers, two ADA-compliant restrooms, a utility space – and a large open area. We anticipate that rental will be available for gatherings of up to 80-90 people. Tables and chairs will be furnished. Year-round heating and cooling will be installed. A large welcoming porch will feature benches and picnic tables. This will be the very first year-round structure on the fairgrounds!

Donate today in one of three categories!
1) Honor the contributions of the Cassette Family to the dairy goat industry and Maine’s Agricultural Fairs

2) Further the mission of Ossipee Valley Fair and support its ongoing fiscal stability


3) create a venue available for family, organizational and community events in our local towns of Hiram, Cornish, Steep Falls, Porter, Parsonsfield, Brownfield, and Baldwin.
More about the Casette Family and the honorees:
ROBERT & EVELYN CASSETTE
The Chateau Briant dairy goat herd began as a 4-H project for Bob and Evelyn’s three
sons. Over the years, it became well-
known for quality in the Alpine and Nubian breeds
– accumulating dozens of permanent championships in show rings around New
England and beyond. When Ossipee Valley Fair needed a goat barn in the early 1980s,
the Cassettes contributed substantially to the cause – and corralled friends and
neighbors to assist with time, sweat and expertise. They have been a constant
presence throughout the years, adding premium monies to 4-H shows, cajoling in-kind
donations from others – and making sure that 4-Hers got a little assistance with their
fair-food budget once their prep and show ring work was done.
Bob, Evelyn and Phil have been active members of the Southern Maine Dairy Goat
Association for a half-century, promoting shows, events and mutual support for
countless other families getting their start in dairy goats. Bob served as an elected
Director of the American Dairy Goat Association for many years. Phil has followed Bob
in that ADGA role – and has served two terms as ADGA President. Bob and Evelyn
were fiercely loyal to their family and friends, generous with their time and effort – and
unceasingly fun to be around! The Cassette Event Center – a gathering place – is a
fitting tribute to their lives and example.


More about the Agricultural Society:
"The Ossipee Valley Fair" opened its gates for the first time on July 10, 1980. That year, it was popularly referred to as the "miracle fair." Our land was purchased in the spring of 1980, touching off a remarkable mad dash to clear brush, lay out roadways and erect enough buildings to form the nucleus of a fairground. Most years we still have that "mad dash" feeling as fair time approaches - so little time - so much to do! Nevertheless, it's important to pause once in a while to reflect on how we got hee-ah from they-ah. On May 7, 1977, a group of 24 local citizens signed a charter organizing the Ossipee Valley Agricultural Society (OVAS). They had been inspired by the revival of the Cornish Fair for the town's bicentennial in 1976. The purpose of the Society is "to instruct the people of the Ossipee River Valley in the State of Maine on agricultural matters and other concerns of rural living by holding public fairs, demonstrations, and exhibitions of livestock, poultry, farm produce, rural arts and crafts, and rural industry."
Ossipee Valley Fair continues to be a place where the rich traditions of farming and rural life are celebrated and honored. For four days each July, the fair is a non-stop beehive of activity - 4-H events, horse and cattle pulling, musical entertainment, an exciting and colorful midway, a myriad of tasty foods, games, goats, sheep, rabbits, cows, chickens, pigs, steers and oxen - even 4X4 racing for the gear-heads among us! Most of all, an agricultural fair is "good folks." We are an all-volunteer endeavor - and we have great volunteers! As we salute the spirit and foresight of the Society's Charter Members, we also acknowledge the creativity and energy of today's members - carrying us forward to bigger and better things at "The Friendliest of Fairs"
The Ossipee Valley Agricultural Society meets monthly, and hosts a variety of fundraisers and events year round including a silent auction, and a craft fair, a festival of lights and a hallloween celebration. on. It also rents the grounds to other businesses and community events, and this center will be a big part of its future WITH YOUR HELP!

Organizer
Molly Griffin McKenna
Organizer
Hiram, ME
Ossipee Valley Agricultural Society
Beneficiary