By all accounts, the 15th annual Marine Heritage Festival weekend was a resounding success.
The weekend began on Friday, July 24th, with a kick-off launch party at the Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre.
The party featured a magic show by magician extraordinaire, Steve Baker, that enthralled all ages, but the party didn’t stop there.
There was live music, a BBQ and corn roast hosted by the Rotary Club of Saugeen Shores followed by an historical walk around Fairy Lake where volunteers portrayed historical members of the community.
Saugeen First Nation elder, Shirley John, led the opening ceremony with a ‘water song’ followed by guest speakers.
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Saugeen Shores Mayor, Luke Charbonneau, welcomed everyone saying that the Festival is “… the best weekend of the summer and the launch held here at the Bruce County Museum, the treasure of our county, is only the beginning.”
He added that the weekend is a huge undertaking, with hundreds of volunteers, that celebrates the marine heritage of the community. “With tours to Chantry Island and the Festival, our community would not be what it is without the Marine Heritage Society.”
Captain Wayne Sparrow (a.k.a. Wayne Kaufman), co-founder of the Festival, pointed out that the Festival supports 16 other community groups. “The goal is to maintain it as a free fun family event that puts a smile on every child’s face.”
Co-chairs, Deb Kaufman and Doug Goar, said that there were some 30 family events this year along with the special addition of the tall ship, The Playfair. “With children’s heritage experiences, delicious food, live music, beer gardens and so much more, there is something for every age,” said Goar.
Kaufman added that “… it’s a lot of hard work, creativity, dedication, planning and commitment by volunteers.”
“We have to thank the town of Saugeen Shores, our more than 200 volunteers, the Museum and sponsors for bringing community spirit to the event,” said the co-chairs.
Councillor Cheryl Grace of the Municipal Heritage Committee, and Marine Heritage Society Chair, Eric Tolton, also unveiled a rendered drawing of an interpretive plaque that will soon be unveiled about the history and restoration of Southampton’s range lights, ‘The Watchful Beacons’.
Tolton said that beacons have guided mariners for over 100 years into the safety of the Southampton Harbour.
The launch party was only the beginning of the 15th annual Festival weekend that featured two days filled with fun activities for all ages.
