Eganville – The great weather coupled with an abundance of activities to attend made Canada Day festivities a day to remember, according to the heads of council in those communities.
Bonnechere Valley Township Mayor Jennifer Murphy was ecstatic over how well things went in Eganville on July 1st where most of the municipality’s events were held.
“I think the entire day was incredible. From the bouncy castles, to the barbecue, the fishing derby, to the cake-cutting at the museum and the fossil walk . . . The whole day was amazing.
“And then dinner on the bridge and the fireworks, which were the best we ever had.”
Every event she attended throughout the day, starting at the Rotary breakfast, was well attended, she said, adding the weather could not have co-operated any better.
“It was so great,” she remarked. “Just as we were starting dinner on the bridge, there was a bit of cloud cover, so were weren’t sitting in the sun like we were last year.”
She credited the many volunteers from the community, the members of the Eganville and Area Community Development Group (EACDG), the fire department, and others for their great effort in making the day a success.
“Everybody just did an exemplary job,” she noted. “I was so proud.
“I love walking around these events and just seeing people’s pure joy,” she added. “They’re smiling, laughing and having such a great time.”
The third annual dinner on the bridge hosted by the EACDG was another resounding success.
“Everybody loves getting together with neighbours and friends, meeting new people . . . Jackie and Steve Agnew, and Lisa Agnew organized a wonderful evening of music including Dave Souliere of Brantford and Lake Dore, who was accompanied by Robert Gauthier of Montreal, Julie Larocque and then Fiereworks, Steve Agnew, Clint Degarie, Amanda Dupuis, Tyler Jamieson and Khloe Bertrand who kept the crowd rocking until he fireworks.
She noted this year’s fireworks how was a partnership between BV and North Algona Wilberforce (NAW), who contributed $1500 to the event.
“That is exactly what I would hope,” she replied when asked if this partnership would continue in the future. “It was the best show we ever had and it was 20 minutes long.”
She said it was great to see so many different venues being used.
“It just shows how vibrant our little village can be,” she concluded.
In her capacity as warden of Renfrew County, she also attended Canada Day events in NAW and Admaston Bromley townships, which she said also were very well attended.
NAW Mayor James Brose was equally excited with the success of the events at Melissa Bishop Park at Lake Dore.
“It was fantastic. We were very, very pleased with the turnout.”
He said at previous Canada Day breakfasts they may have served 50 to 60 patrons but this year there were approximately 250.
“So we saw a huge increase,” he noted.
“There was lots of good feedback from the public,” he added of all the activities. “The kids lust loved the bubble ball soccer. And, of course, they liked the fire trucks, police cars, and all those displays.”
He noted the unveiling of the fire department’s new rescue seajack also went well.
Mayor Brose said entertainment was provided by three Opeongo High School students known as The Riverside Boys (Hunter Heideman, Jayden Felskie and Keifer Jessup) and their performance was very well received.
The weather was just fantastic for the morning program. Like BV Mayor Jennifer Murphy, he agreed the partnership between the two municipalities to host the fireworks show in Eganville proved very successful.
“I would certainly like to see that continue because to me, it makes more sense. Consolidating some of the activities rather than splitting up the same group of people into two, three or four different groups.
“We had our activities in the morning, BV’s were all in the afternoon, then the Dinner on the Bridge and fireworks,” he added. “To me, it just makes more sense.”
In Killaloe, Hagarty and Richards Township, Mayor Janice Visneskie Moore said it could not have been a better celebration for Canada Day. She said right from the opening event, the fishing derby at Natural Waters Trout Farm to the fireworks display, everything was very well attended. Over 100 children participated in the fishing derby, which like the Great Ducky Race is sponsored by the KHR Fire Department. The Round Lake of the Knights of Columbus also co-sponsor the duck race.
Winners were Edward Splaine of Lindsay, $350; Diane Evans, $250 and Jim Demers of Round Lake, $150.
“It’s so wonderful to see how excited the kids are when they are catching those fish,” she said.
She said the banks of Brennan’s Creek were lined for the duck race.
“It was really close,” she said of the results of the race. “I think it was a photo finish.”
Mayor Visneskie Moore said every last one of the 1,000 ducks was sold.
The evening festivities at St. Andrew’s school yard that included a barbecue by the Knights, a magician, balloon creations, and entertainment from the Terry Eggert band of Pembroke was very well attended.
“When I was on stage giving my remarks, it was so nice to look out and see so many people, young and old, having a great time. They were singing along, dancing, to the music and then everyone watched the great fireworks show.
“Bonnie (community development co-ordinator, Bonnie Ivimey), the fire department, the works department, Knights of Columbus, and many others made it a Canada Day to remember,” she remarked. “And we owe a big thank you to everyone fort showing up to support these events.”
Ms. Ivimey said the weather was fantastic and the fireworks show Monday night was the “icing on the cake” to a great day of activities.