Celebration planned for 200 years since town’s founding

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

A birthday bash is planned to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Tillsonburg’s founding on Oct. 18.

“We’re excited to celebrate the town going from a two-room shack to a town of over 20,000 people,” said Kathleen Watkin, Culture and Heritage Programs Coordinator with the town.

“It’s a great opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate our 200 years of shared history,” added Kate Bakos, Cultural Heritage Manager/Curator.

Memorial Park is the main venue for the events, which will commence with a land acknowledgement at noon, greetings from dignitaries, and the singing of O’Canada. A performance by the Ingersoll Pipe Band will follow.

The Great Canadian Lumberjack Show will provide a preview of some of the skills required to clear the land 200 years ago. It will take the stage at 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4 p.m. Show participants will compete in chainsaw carving, axe throwing, chainsaw cutting, wood chopping, cross-cut sawing, and log rolling. The log rolling in particular, will be a test of the dexterity of the competitors.

An overall theme throughout the day is a look back at some of the ways people lived 200 years ago.

The Pioneer Experience Zone is for the young and young at heart. A petting zoo, pottery demonstrations, woodworking, and forging demonstrations will be available. Patrons will also have the opportunity for a wagon ride, courtesy of Ewart McLaughlin, who will provide rides with his wagon and heavy horses, located near the John Street entrance.

A marketplace will have 200th anniversary souvenirs available, including whiskey glasses, mugs, magnets, keychains, aprons, and tote bags. Souvenir clothing, reasonably priced, will be available for on-site ordering. The website to order clothing is https://derehamforgeapparel.wscimage.com. Three local authors will also have displays.

Independent vendors will also have displays. Early pioneer techniques will be demonstrated, including pottery and woodworking, candlemaking, weaving, spinning, and blacksmithing.

“We have demonstrators coming that will share early crafts and activities,” Watkin said. “We are also excited to celebrate Tillsonburg’s future through a variety of vendors who will share their hand-crafted wares.”

Several members of the Tillson family will travel to town for the event, and Tamsen Tillson will be cutting the anniversary cake at 1 p.m.

Speaking of food, besides the free cake, a variety of food will be available for a fee. Chrissy’s Catering will be hosting a pancake breakfast in the Lions Auditorium from 8 a.m. to noon. Food trucks will be on site throughout the afternoon, offering a variety of items for sale.

Volunteers will be walking through the park, wearing Dereham Forge aprons, and offering free giveaways of wooden nickels, stickers, and pins.

A memorial tree planting will take place at Annandale National Historic Site to commemorate the occasion at 10:30 a.m.. Visitors can also take home one of the 250 native trees available at the Sanders Street entrance on a first-come, first-served basis. The tree giveaway is sponsored by the town beautification committee.

The day will wrap up with fireworks at 7:30 p.m. in Memorial Park.