The Marine Heritage Festival continued on Saturday, July 26th, with a full day of fun activities.
Saturday’s Events
The day began with the annual pancake breakfast by Southampton Rotary Club where more than 300 people enjoyed pancakes and sausage in Pioneer Park.
In the park, troubadour performer David Archibald entertained with his unique musical style that had the audience participation turned up a notch. Throughout the park, there were also activities and games along with various companies and organizations who offered free items.
One of the most popular events is the annual Captain Sparrow Kids’ Gold Rush that saw hundreds of youngsters of all ages set out on a rush for gold nuggets. Once ‘weighed’, Captain Sparrow signed a certificate of authenticity that gave each child a prize and it was winners all around.
Without a doubt however, the highlight of the day is the annual cardboard boat race and, this year, it saw the largest number that set sail at 65 boats. From ages ‘under 12’ to over 19, family and corporate categories, fun was had by all as thousands lined the shoreline in both directions to take in the ‘races’.
Before the races began, all along the shore stood at attention when performer Stevie Vallance waded into the water to sing a rousing rendition of O’Canada.
Boats of every description took part, some ‘engineered’ and others not so much, with races judged by a panel of Allie Kelly, Jane Kramer and Kelly Cosgrove of the Ministry of Tourism – winner for best sinking went to ‘The Pickle’.
Medals
Medals were presented to first, second and third place winners – Gold, Silver and Bronze – by Captain Wayne Sparrow and a new first mate, Kelly Cosgrove (Regional Development Advisor to the Minister of Tourism).
Also, this year, for the first time in four years or more, there’s a new champion after a ‘photo finish’ by the Bruce County Museum against reigning champion Graham Starrs of Martin’s Cycle Shop in his kayak ‘the Fox’.
The day was not ended however, as the famous Firefighters Fish Fry had people lining up for dinner that would be followed by an evening of live band entertainment in the big tent.
