On Friday night (Feb. 5), heralded by a performance of the Seaforth Girls Marching Band and the premiere of the new student-produced short film, On the Comic Side of Life, the Heritage Culture Partnership recognized the importance of culture and heritage with the presentation of the first Annual Huron Cultural Awards at the Blyth Festival. The Friday night performances and award ceremony kicked off a weekend celebrating youth creativity in Huron County. Saturday and Sunday were filled with performances in music, dance, drama and film by Huron County youth for Huron County youth.

Cultural Event/Organization - Winner

The nominees for the Cultural Event/Organization award recognizing the cultural event, organization, festival or business that contributed to the enhancement and vitality of the County's cultural sector were Blyth Festival, Huron Pioneer Thresher and Hobby Association, Goderich Co-op Gallery and Tuesday Tunes in Seaforth. Laurel Armstrong announced the winner was (drumroll, please) …the Huron Pioneer Thresher and Hobby Association. Marian Hallahan accepted the award on behalf of the Threshers, who will be presenting their 50th Blyth Threshers' Reunion in September 2010. The Threshers' Reunion brings over 13,000 people to Blyth for their three-day event. The event celebrates the pioneers whose hard work and later utilization of machines and technology established Huron County as the most agriculturally productive county in Ontario. The Blyth Threshers received two nominations to this category, one by the Township of North Huron and one by the Blyth Festival.

Individual Artist - Winner

The nominees for the Individual Artist who through their work have contributed to Huron County's reputation as a producer of artistic excellence were Robert Tetu, well-known potter, Josh House, creator of hand-crafted guitars and Rick Hundey, author of the Jack Beer mystery novels. Beth Ross announced the winner was Robert Tetu. Alison Lobb accepted the award on Robert's behalf. Robert Tetu is known throughout Canada and beyond for his exceptional pottery, some of which is featured in museum collections. He gives freely of his time to promote culture in Huron County and attracts many visitors to the county with his business, Beechwood Pottery.

Community Contribution - Winner

The nominees for the Community Contribution award recognizing a volunteer, patron or supporter whose effort and dedication has significantly impacted the cultural community of Huron County were Pamela Stanley, Herb Marshall and The Beach 104.9. Bert Dykstra announced the winner was Pamela Stanley for her enthusiastic support and promotion of culture and heritage in Huron County and across Ontario. Pam Stanley was on hand to accept her award recognizing her involvement in Doors Open Haunted Huron, the Sloman School Car on Wheels in Clinton, the Clinton and Bayfield Fair Boards and much, much more.

Heritage Individual/Organization - Winner

The nominees for the Heritage Individual/Organization award recognizing the individual or group that actively promotes and/or preserves Huron County's unique heritage were Ken Cardno, Barn Dance Historical Society & Museum, Ralph Laviolette and the girls and Guiders of the 1st Bayfield Sparks, Brownies, Guides & Pathfinders and the 1st Clinton Sparks and Pathfinders with the 2nd Clinton Brownies and Guides. David Armstrong announced the winner was Ken Cardno for he and his family's work of preserving the Cardno Block in Seaforth. Ken and his son, Chris, accepted the award for their work in preserving the 133-year old building block that contains the unique Cardno Music Hall on its second floor.

This evening was the culmination of the Heritage Culture Partnership's desire to see culture and heritage recognized in Huron County for its work and excellence. All the nominees work hard to promote and present culture and preserve and promote heritage in their communities and the county. All the winners were presented with an award and a framed original oil painting by Elizabeth Van Den Broeck of Elizabeth's Art Gallery in Goderich. But at the end of the day, all are winners because of their work and their passion.

- Provided by Jodi Jerome