Killaloe – The new community development coordinator in Killaloe, Hagarty and Richards (KHR) Township had some juggling to do with Saturday events at the annual Irish Gathering, but Colton Charbonneau said thanks to volunteers and community support, everything worked out well.

Station Park in the heart of the village has been the venue for the musical entertainment since the event began several years ago, but because of the threatening forecast for the weekend, the venue was changed to the Lions Hall for Saturday.

Friday’s events took place under warm and sunny skies, and although the rain held off Saturday until the evening, the ominous clouds and forecast prompted Mr. Charbonneau and the committee to relocate Saturday’s entertainment to the Lions Hall.

“We had a bit of a dicey forecast to begin with and when we woke up Friday morning there was a special weather statement,” he said.

Mr. Charbonneau met with the organizing committee and Lions Bil Smith and Jim Holmer and the decision to move the entertainment to the hall was made without any hesitation.

“It was very nice to see everyone come together to make the decision,” he said. “I certainly want to thank the Lions Club and all of the volunteers for working together on this.”

Entertainers Saturday included the Fiddleaires (Wilson and Lucie and Ian Peplinskie), the Roche Family, Reverend Ken and the Country Lads. Friday night’s entertainment in the park featured Brand and Port.

This was Mr. Charbonneau’s first Irish Gathering since joining the staff and he was pleased with the results of the two-day celebration. He said he recognized people he knew from other communities and added it’s all about bringing people to the community.

“People enjoyed the different musical entertainment offered and many showed their Irish pride,” he said.

It was also an opportunity for him to meet and get to know many of the volunteers in the community. He believes the celebration will continue in future years and he has some ideas of his own he would like to see implemented to add to the activities and keep the weekend exciting.

Mayor Dave Mayville described the two days as a great weekend overall.

“We were able to survive the rain, and I think it was a very good decision to move things inside (the Lions Hall) on Saturday,” he said. “I think overall, it was a great experience for everyone.

“All the businesses came together and joined forces and made it very welcoming for visitors to come into our town.”

He cited the example of how the Killaloe Pharmacy hosted their second anniversary barbecue with the cultural display, Killaloe Hardware hosted a photo booth and scavenger hunt, and BeaverTails were offering a special Irish Gathering pastry.

“I thought it was very unique and I thought it was a really good sign to see all the partners come together,” he remarked.

Mayor Mayville said it was fortunate the powers that be (County of Renfrew), who had undertaken the rehabilitation of the main bridge this summer, decided late Friday night it could be reopened to traffic, so that was a bonus, he noted.     

He thanked Councillor Maureen MacMillan for spear-heading the preparations for the Gathering after former community development officer Chris Neff resigned his position in January.

“She took the ball after Chris had departed and she spearheaded all the meetings and brought all the partners together,” he said. “Then Colton (Charbonneau) came in and took over after that.

“He basically ran it after he got settled,” he added. “He passed his first big test.”

Mayor Mayville credited Eileen Walsh with arranging a wonderful line-up of entertainment for the festivities.

“The people she brought in were outstanding,” he said.

Attendance at events was good over the two days, despite the confusion with the bridge construction and the threatening weather forecast. He said organizers should be pleased.

“Certainly everyone has an excuse not to come, but people, I think, found a reason to come. I’m not saying it was our best crowd, but we had a good crowd, and I think the people really enjoyed it.”

He added his thanks to the municipal roads department for their assistance in the set-up, as well as to the fire department for traffic control.

“This is the first year the (farmers’) market moved across the street from Station Park and the fire department assisted with people crossing the street,” he said.

He said the kid’s area in Station Park was a resounding success on Saturday.

“The kids just loved that water slide,” he said. “It made me wish I could be young and flop in the water like that.”

The celebration also included a historical talk in St. Andrew’s cemetery, the Irish Tea at the Friendship Club, a scavenger hunt, a waffle breakfast at the Lions Club and more.