Wellington County celebrates Canada Day
Canada – The Rotary Club of Erin hosted its annual Summerfest Canada Day celebration at the Erin Fairgrounds on July 1. Admission was free and all proceeds went to local youth agencies. PHOTO 1: Line Dancing offered by Country Curlz. PHOTO 2: Maximum 60s band. PHOTO 3: The Brighten Up kids zone was a hive of activity offering games and activities for the youngsters. PHOTO 4: From left, councillors John Brennan, Cathy Aylard, Jamie Cheyne with volunteer Liz Ewasick-Cheyne. Photos by Tristan Clark
Canada Day parade - Although Canada Day fireworks were thwarted by a severe thunderstorm last week, Centre Wellington residents were still treated to an activity-packed start to the month. PHOTO 1: Senator Rob Black braves hot July temperatures in a full fur coat while steering a vintage John Deere tractor along Geddes Street for a Canada Day parade in Elora. PHOTO 2: Elora Volunteer Firefighters Association members flip pancakes for hungry spectators prior to the parade. PHOTO 3: Members of the Blue Bonnet Lassies School of Highland Dance march in the parade. PHOTO 4: From bottom, Hazel Penny, Kaiden Lambke, Owen, Lucas and Callie Penny checking out a fire truck. PHOTO 5: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Centre Wellington hosted a soap box derby on David and Geddes Streets. PHOTO 6: From left, Oliver and Hudson Casey, Chase Richardson, Emmett Christopher, Esther Feenstra and Zoey Kottelenberg smile at the soap box derby finish line. PHOTO 7: The Fergus Pipe Band led the annual Canada Day parade, kicking off at the Jefferson Elora Community Centre and finishing at Bissell Park. PHOTO 8: Vintage cars were decked out for the parade. PHOTO 9: From left, Sophie Saunders, Chloe Petty, Nicole Givens, Mr. Duck, Melanie Fegan and Kerry Storr were on hand to help during the annual Elora Canada Day duck race at Bissell Park. Photos by Sue Hogenkamp
Canada – The Orton Community Association hosted its annual Canada Day celebration July 1 at the Orton Community Park. The event fed 415 people with their paid chicken BBQ dinner and had around 300 more people come out to watch the fireworks, play games and try their arm at the dunk tank. The event also featured a bike rodeo with about 20 local kids decorating their bikes for the celebration. PHOTO 1: Two year old Frankie was the winner of the bike rodeo. (Submitted photo) PHOTO 2: A photo of the firework show. Photo by David Penty.
Lots to do – Fireworks cancelled in Fergus on Canada Day due to bad weather left many dissapointed last week, however the rest of the day – including arts and crafts tables (PHOTO 1), face painting, live entertainment, and a performance by Blue Bonnet Lassies School of Highland Dance members (PHOTO 2) – went off without a hitch. Centre Wellington and the Rotary Club of Volunteers in Action Centre Wellington organized the community events, held at the Centre Wellington Community Sportsplex on July 1. PHOTO 3: Barb Lustgarten Evoy who organized the evening on behalf of the Volunteers in Action (CW) Rotary Club of Fergus wasn’t really disappointed nor deterred from doing it again next year. “It was a good experience to learn from” she said and thank you to everyone who did show up to enjoy the evening as it was. With a smile on her face cutting the cake she had made specially for the evening and telling everyone the club is alive and looking for members and is happy to help out when they can. PHOTO 4: The notorious Peter Skoggard was present with his wit and humour. PHOTO 5: Barb Evoy and crew after the storm. PHOTO 6: Barb Evoy again after the storm helps adjust a young attendees hat. Photos by Bill Longshaw
Canada Day – Mapleton’s Canada Day celebrations were held at the Drayton Fairgrounds on July 1. Entertainment included bouncy castles, a Rotary Club car show and a touch-a-truck area for kids to check out big vehicles. PHOTO 1: The bouncy castles were a favourite during the celebration, despite having to deflated and reinflated because of a storm that blew through late afternoon. PHOTO 2: Eddie Bauman of Elmira, with his 1985 Chevy Camaro IROC Z, was one of four car show participants to remain on the fairgrounds following the storm. PHOTO 3: Though many packed up during the storm, the Drayton Kinettes stayed the course and re-opened their booth once it passed. From left, Penelope and Erica Klaassen, Jenn Hahn, Amanda Macdougall, Rachel Estak and Paula Holzamer. The club is raising funds for upgraded to the park beside the B-diamond. PHOTO 4: The Drayton Mapleton Agriculture Society’s pulled pork dinner was hit. As the thunder and lightning raged, attendees enjoyed a meal under cover in the old arena. Funds from the dinner go towards the acquisition of an elevator for the Ag Hall. PHOTO 5: Mason Pegelo and Colton Hartman were excited to see the 2015 Camaro Transformer owned by Alex Perrie of Harriston during the Drayton Rotary Club Canada Day car show. The Camaro was just one of four vehicles that remained at the show following a storm that swept through the area. Photos by Sue Hogenkamp
Fireworks – Minto attracted locals and out-of-towners to its 15-minute Canada Day firework show, held at Crossroads Life Church in Harriston. The field beside the church was packed with attendees gathering to celebrate Canada’s 159th birthday. Crossroads Life pastor Theresa Keating previously told the Community News the event is one of the church’s favourite annual events. “Each year ... we always look forward to seeing everyone,” Keating said. Photos by Nicole Beswitherick
