This story is part of our partnership with Maryboro Lodge The Fenelon Falls Museum and was written by Glenn Walker.
KAWARTHA LAKES-Canada Day is the party to kick off summer in the Kawarthas. Fenelon Falls’ celebrations offer activities for all ages, and many wonderful ways to spend time with friends and family. “I love the fireworks, because it is something we experience together,” remarks Chamber of Commerce Manager Marylee Boston. “It is beautiful to see them lighting up the sky over the lake, with all the boats watching. Wherever you are, everyone is ooh-ing and ahh-ing together.” As always, Supernova Fireworks is preparing an awesome pyrotechnic display.Â
The festivities kick off at 10 am as the family fun zone opens at Maryboro Lodge Museum and Garnet Graham Park. It will feature a great variety of interactive activities for all ages, pony rides, Zoo to You, a huge bouncy castle, hula hooping, fire fighter’s fun, a mini hockey game and caricature artist Michael McDonnell. Marky Monday will be ensuring that anyone can Be a Rockstar!, and will be introducing his Superhero show at 11 am. Garnet Graham Park will be rocking along with the Harry Peterson Band, followed by Irish Band Pint of Blarney at 2 pm. At Fenelon Falls’ Canada Day, there really is something for everyone.
The Royal Canadian Legion is hosting Canada Day on the Patio with North Country Express, starting at 1 pm. “It’s like a big family, and many seniors attend,” explains President Ken Darnley. Community volunteer Wayne Hutchinson adds, “Canada Day on the Patio is a lot of fun, and its packed. Good people, with good food and good music. It’s the place to go!”
Canada Day is all about the community coming together, and one of the most important annual events is the Rotary Car Draw, which takes place on Colborne Street, beside ABECK Accounting at 6 pm. “The Car Draw is very important for the Rotary Club, because it is our main fundraiser for the year,” Wayne explains. “It lets us support all the organizations in town that need our help.” Joe Willems continues: “Over the years, the Rotary Club has helped to build the Community Centre & Roger Bellwood Arena, the Ball Park, the Beach Park and its Playground Equipment. We support the Ross Memorial Hospital, Community Care, the Seniors Club, Legion, Agricultural Society and Five Counties Children’s Centre. We sponsor awards for local schools, and practically every other good cause in town. It’s not just local, for 28 years, the Rotary Club has been working at eradicating polio. We make improvements for the community, try to help in any way we can, to make this world a better place. We are fortunate to have everything that we do, and it is wonderful to have the chance to help other people.”
“Our first car draw was in 2002, and this is our 24th car—a 1972 Plymouth Roadrunner. It’s from the muscle car era, and they are rare now. Mopar only made thousands of muscle cars, a fraction of what Ford and GM produced. They were built to go fast and straight and weren’t that expensive at the time. But today, that has changed, now they are a collector’s item. To have a muscle car like that was a real status symbol.” The Rotary Car Draw is a great win-win: it makes the community a better place, and you might just drive home a cool set of wheels.Â
For many people, what makes Canada Day special is seeing the community come together. “It is special when everyone in town is enjoying themselves,” Wayne says. “Seeing the kids having a blast at the Museum and Beach Park and playing in the splash pad.” Volunteer Carol Milroy adds, “Canada Day is the village’s opportunity to gather in one place, welcoming all people and cultures, to celebrate the beautiful country that we are fortunate to live in.”
Your friends in Fenelon Falls hope to see you there!
For more information check out:Â https://maryboro.ca/events/canada-day/
If you want to make a donation to the museum, you can e-transfer to:Â [email protected] or mail a cheque to :
Maryboro Lodge Museum
Box 179
50 Oak Street
Fenelon Falls, ON
K0M 1N0
