Pallets on the Town
12 Aug 2017
With pallet recycling becoming such a popular activity for hobbyists and DIYers all over the world, it only seems natural that people are beginning to find ways to outshine their fellow pallet enthusiasts. What better way to create some friendly competition than putting these creative minds up against each other and competing for a title? Joan Sheppard, along with a group of other women and organisations, saw a gap and created Pallets on the Town, a new festival in Campbellford, Ontario, which celebrates the wooden pallet and all it can do.
Pallets on the Town
Pallets on the Town is the brainchild of Sheppard, with the help of Doug and Lori Runions of Precision Wood Products. The dynamic group decided that it was about time that the imagination behind upcycling pallets was recognised, and this event was therefore created for items to be presented in front of a crowd and judged by a panel. The judges take into account creativity and functionality, and they can also favour whichever item puts a smile on their faces.
The festival takes place on a Saturday in August at Old Mill Park by the Trent, giving all attendees a great reason to relax and be entertained whilst (hopefully) enjoying the summer weather. Its perfect setting is just another factor that enhances the superb ambiance of this celebration, which is great for people of all ages and very family-friendly. The day officially starts at 11am and ends at 4pm, but all projects must be at the park by 9am. The winners are then chosen at 3pm.
Entry Information and Awards
The festival organisers encourage pallet enthusiasts to sign up using an application form found on its Facebook page and this year received around 20 applicants. Entries are then assigned numbers so that their creators cannot be identified and are placed into categories that include art, furniture, garden, home decor, builder’s choice and youth.
Due to the nature of the event, prizes are awarded accordingly and are donated by local firms which support the recycling of wood in this way. First prize, for instance, was a nail gun worth several hundred dollars, donated by Stanley Bostitch. The second prize was mulch in a range of colours, and the third prize was an item donated by Northumberland Recycle.
Pallets on the Town is a great way of promoting recycled pallets and inspiring more people to take on projects involving the upcycling of these products.