Careers
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Current Career Opportunities:
Western Fair District is Seeking Brand Ambassadors and Mascot performers!
Get to Know Western Fair District:
Through its people, facilities and events, Western Fair District (WFD) is a leading year-round agri-food organization, focusing on community, agri-food industry supports and education, the annual fair, consumer/trade events, horse-racing, and entertainment & recreation for residents of the city and far beyond.
The District is a unique, multi-faceted, historic, and community-based, not for profit, in the heart of Old East Village, in London, Ontario. It offers several complexes onsite, providing many unique activities all of which have a major impact on the local economy, and contribute to our community in a wide variety of ways. The annual Western Fair is near and dear to the community and is the Association’s signature event, popular consumer/trade shows make their home in the Agriplex, a first-class harness horse racetrack, award winning Farmer’s and Artisan’s Market and industry leading Sports Centre are on site as well as great dining & banquet facilities embracing local food and drink, and an agri-food business and resource hub fondly known as The Grove.
Our tight-knit team is creative and passionate and regularly interacts with one another to create high-quality experiences in several business units. As a not-for-profit Association, with deep roots in agriculture and community, WFD has evolved over a century-and-a-half because of its dedicated team culture, committed to honouring tradition, while continually innovating and evolving to meet the needs of the agriculture industry and the communities we serve.
Brand Ambassador Team Members:
We are looking for capable, energetic, theatrical, enthusiastic, and hardworking individuals to join Western Fair’s Brand Ambassador team to help bring life to our fair mascot “Happy Days” at community and promotional events across the region and throughout the 10-day fair in September. The Western Fair’s “Happy Camper” Brand Ambassador Team will create memorable experiences for future and current guests traveling to select community events within our region in the Happy Camper (our branded promotional vehicle) and during the Western Fair (Sept 5-14, 2025)! Team members should be ready and able to drive (must be fully licensed with a clean drivers abstract – vehicle is a Sprinter Van - Camper) to community events predominantly on weekends with regular opportunities to perform in the spring and summer season through the week. Ambassadors will sell tickets/merchandise at events and perform in either the capacity of the Mascot Performer and/or the Brand Ambassador. Brand Ambassador team members will be scheduled to rotate through all positions, so that each team member can fill in as needed. Mascot performances will always include two team members per event, and three when necessary.
Who are you?
- Outgoing, energetic and passionate
- Good with people and crowds
- Skillful communicator
- Proactive
- Reliable
What will you DO?
In your role as a Western Fair Brand Ambassador Team member your primary accountabilities will be to:
- Interact with guests of all ages including, but not limited to selling tickets, promoting the Western Fair event in September, performing as the mascot and handler, taking photos with guests, etc.
- Drive a small promotional ‘camper’ vehicle, equipped with ticketing hardware (iPad/e-commerce software), promotional materials, mascot costume to community events throughout London and southwestern Ontario.
- Connect with each event organizer as you arrive, coordinating activation site, parking vehicle, setting up activation area, and marketing Western Fair for a set number of scheduled hours.
- Tear down and drive back to Western Fair to drop off promotional vehicle each scheduled promo day.
- Responsible for following the Mascot maintenance program, to ensure that Happy looks their best at each event.
- Combination of weekdays, nights and weekends through the spring and summer - as well as the 10 days of the Annual Western Fair (September 5–14, 2025).
- This is considered a part-time, on-call, seasonal position, with potential for working hours each week throughout the season, based on availability.
As the Mascot:
- Preserve the brand and identity of the Happy Days Mascot without deviating from established character including body language/mannerisms, attitude, guest interaction and overall representation.
- Maintain performance standards at the highest level of professional expectations.
- Must be able to improvise to “communicate” with our guests, Happy does not speak. Body Language and gestures are required to express thoughts and feelings.
As the Brand Ambassador:
- Be an effective communicator. Happy does not speak, so you must be their voice.
- Assist with getting the Mascot into the costume.
- Manage crowds, and act as a guide for Happy to ensure their safety (stairs, walking through large crowds, etc.)
- Help customers to capture their interactions with Happy by taking photos for them.
- Promote 2025 Fair entertainment, attractions and promotions and encourage sale of discounted advanced tickets to the Western Fair.
- Always maintain a positive rapport with guests and staff.
- Provide professional guest service, working with guests of all ages, genders and nationalities equally.
What else?
- Experience working as a mascot is considered an asset.
- Experience as a performer is considered an asset.
- Must have a valid class G driver’s license and clean drivers abstract. Brand Ambassador’s will drive the Happy Camper – our mascot Happy’s preferred mode of transportation – a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter – Camper Van.
- Experience selling tickets, using a POS and cashing out.
- Ability to fit into the “Happy Days” Costume. Recommended height of 5’8” to 6’1”.
- Must have previous work experience in a customer service capacity, entertainment, or other relevant work experience dealing with the public.
- Must have strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Must be comfortable around children and in large crowds.
- Must work well in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to deal with the public in a friendly, courteous, and professional manner.
- Must be an energetic and self-motivated team player with a positive attitude.
- Must have a strong attention to detail and excellent time management skills.
- Ability to work well under minimal supervision; problem solve and deal with difficult situations under pressure.
- Must have the physical ability to perform mascot actions in costume (i.e. standing, running, kneeling, reaching, jumping, bending, frequent upper and lower body movements etc.) able to navigate stairs, and able to walk or stand for extended periods of time.
- Must have a tolerance for heat and working in the sun. Performance times are manageable time slots so mascot performers can rest/cool down in between performances.
- Good physical condition, with the ability to withstand the demands of performing in a costume weighing approximately 15lbs.
- Ability to work a variety of shifts from May – September including daytime, evenings, weekends, Statutory Holidays and the ten days of the Annual Fair (Sept 5-14, 2025).
- Subject to a background check, which may include, but is not limited to, a criminal record check and reference check.
Where and when to APPLY?
Resumes and cover letters can be submitted to hr [at] westernfairdistrict.com (hr[at]westernfairdistrict[dot]com )
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those chosen for an interview will be acknowledged.
Western Fair District is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to equity, value diversity, and welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds.
Western Fair District provides accommodations to job applicants with disabilities throughout the hiring process. If a job applicant requires an accommodation during the application process or through the selection process, human resources will work with the applicant to meet the job applicant’s accommodation needs.
Why Join us
Be a part of one-of-a-kind exciting projects, working for a Not-for-Profit Agricultural Society that reinvests in its people and our community... all while having a little bit of fun!
Our Culture
We are a not-for-profit Agricultural Society that has deep roots in the City of London and southwestern Ontario. The ‘District’ is committed to providing experiences that enrich your life and the community and as part of our “not-for-profit” status, we reinvest our revenue surpluses into our staff, our facilities, and programming to meet the needs of our community. We give our employees the opportunity to grow professionally, and personally all while being a part of a team that is…
- Proud
- Energetic
- Highly-principled
- Dedicated
- Imaginative
The Perks
- Commitment to professional growth and development through training opportunities
- Competitive compensation
- Flexible work arrangements
- Engagement events
- Extended Health Benefits*
- Yearly fitness credit*
- Employer-matched defined-contribution pension program*
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
* For eligible employees
Rewarding Dedication
We're over 150 years strong, and we traditionally acknowledge and share our thanks with our long service employees. Reward levels begin at 10 years and move up in 5-year increments. Employees of all service levels are significant, and we can say we have celebrated 30, 40, and 50-year service employees! Yes, that’s right!
Be Yourself
Employees are encouraged to ask questions and be empowered to make decisions. As an equal opportunity employer, we strive to create a stimulating and open workplace that promotes teamwork, fairness, respect, and diversity.
We also provide accommodations to employees with special needs. If a job applicant requires an accommodation during the application process or through the selection process, we will work with the applicant to meet the job applicant’s accommodation needs.
Social Impact
From the beginning, we've brought people and communities together to celebrate what life has to offer. Agri-food, our community, and sustainability are all important parts of our past, present, and future. Our Change for Change program allows employees to donate a portion of their paycheck to their charity of choice, which we then match in contribution. One of our sustainability projects is The Wormery, it utilizes green waste, reduces emissions, and creates a natural fertilizer that promotes plant growth. Learn about The Wormery here
We invest in the development and growth of thousands of youth, students, local artists, performers, and athletes annually through various programs and facilities. (e.g. Rise2Fame, Learn To Skate, School Agri-Food Education, Day of Dreams, and more.)
CAP is our Community Access Program that makes a small difference in the lives of individuals and families who cannot access entertainment or events without a support person or are living on fixed incomes.
Our Donation Committee supports hundreds of local/regional non-profit organizations with donations, silent auction items, and gift cards to help them raise funds for individual causes, for the betterment of the communities we serve.
We are committed to corporate social responsibility and is one of our strategic initiatives.
Have Questions?
If you have any questions about employment, please email hr [at] westernfairdistrict.com (subject: General%20Question) (hr[at]westernfairdistrict[dot]com)
If you're interested in working at the District, please send your resume and cover letter to hr [at] westernfairdistrict.com (subject: Employment%20Opportunities) (hr[at]westernfairdistrict[dot]com )
