Canada Day festivities were ‘hot, hot, hot’

Betty Davies was decked out in her Canada Day finest while attending festivities on the country’s birthday. (Jeff Helsdon photo)

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

Canada Day crowds were on par with last year for most events across town, despite the heat.

Annandale National Historic Site saw the largest crowd, with an estimated 1,230 people. Programs were aimed at all age groups, with face painting, axe throwing, games and food trucks on the front lawn.

“It’s great to celebrate Canada Day with so many people, even though we’re 159 years old and hot, hot, hot,” said Kate Bakos, Cultural Heritage Manager/Curator.

Besides the outdoor games, there were free snow cones, popcorn, cotton candy and cake for visitors. The snow cones and water were popular for helping combat the high temperatures.

“The main job today was making sure everyone had enough water,” Bakos said.

Admission to Annandale House was free for the day, and a scavenger hunt took place to find 20 stuffed otters hidden throughout the building. Bakos pointed out the otter is the town’s official animal, adding, “Turtlefest has created some confusion on that.”

She emphasized the day wouldn’t be possible without the many volunteers.

The Station Arts Centre’s annual pancake breakfast drew about 540 people, a number similar to last year. Executive director and curator Tabitha Verbuyst was happy with the turnout in the heat. She did note that people didn’t stay as long as usual, and surmised the temperatures were the reason.

She too gave credit to the volunteers for making the day come together. Besides members who volunteered, she gave credit to the councillors and mayor for flipping pancakes, to Mike and Christina Gazley of Tim Hortons for donating coffee and tea, and to Nectar for cooking the sausage in the company’s food truck. Verbuyst also noted the BIA donated the sausage and paid for the bouncy castle.

The one event that may have suffered in attendance was the annual veterans’ parade at the Legion, held at noon. Outside of Legion members and town council members, only about a dozen people turned out.

Fireworks over fireworks show

An estimated 700-plus came out at night for the fireworks and pre-show in the band shell.

Unfortunately, some were disappointed with the language used by the DJ playing before the show.

A news release from the town on Friday clarifies that the band shell was rented by an individual.

“The language used does not reflect the values of the Town of Tillsonburg, particularly during a family-oriented community celebration,” the release stated. “Residents and visitors attending Canada Day festivities should be able to expect entertainment that is suitable for audiences of all ages.

“Moving forward, the town will strengthen its rental requirements to help ensure that entertainment provided at all-age events is appropriate and aligns with the family-friendly nature of community celebrations and public events held on town property.”

There was also disappointment with the length of the fireworks show.

Mayor Deb Gilvesy, who attended the event, was also dissatisfied with the length of the show.

“I was there, recognized there was a problem and immediately contacted staff the next day,” she said, adding there were sufficient funds in the budget for a show of the length town residents are used to.

The town’s press release explained the computer control for igniting the fireworks experienced technical problems that couldn’t be resolved, cutting the show short. A “make-up” show is planned in town for the Labour Day weekend on Sunday, Sept. 6. More details will follow.