Mississippi Mills celebrated Canada Day in style for 2014, starting with a record setting parade and fireworks crowd in Pakenham. This year’s parade will be tough to beat with more than sixty creative fun filled floats. The party continued into the night under clear skies while visitors and residents took in local entertainment and an amazing fireworks show at the community centre. A special thanks to Mike Ryan, our local fireman and all of the talented entertainers for this great evening.
July 1st Almonte’s first downtown Canada Day Car show was a resounding success. Many thanks extended to Peter Bell for his vision and hard work. Over 139 vintage cars lined the downtown streets.
The Mayors choice was awarded to local Almontian Rick Leary with his 1936 Pontiac Barn Find. The car show raised $1500 which will be presented to the HUB to be split between the hospice and the skatepark. Thanks to all the show sponsors and the downtown property owners for letting us take over their parking lots.
Downtown merchants and restaurants seemed to enjoy the traffic as well. The Civitan BBQ served a steady line of hungry people. The area was packed with visitors, many of whom had never been in downtown Almonte and vowed to return. “The Gilligallou Bird enjoyed a great day. The beginning was people coming through and a number of them commented ‘I didn’t know all these stores were here’ shared Louise Beckinsale, Gilligallou Bird Inc “On the sales side we are happy with how the day turned out and found it to be worth it.”
Fortunately the weather cooperated for all of Mississippi Mills’ Canada Day celebrations. The skies opened up and cooled off a hot day with rain at 2:00 pm just as the final car award was handed out. Skies then cleared in time for a great family celebration and BBQ in Gemmill Park Canada Day afternoon and evening. Families enjoyed the great line-up of entertainment and kids activities. The Legion BBQ was another success. Preparing for a big crown the Legion Ladies Auxiliary doubled their food order from 2013 but sold out once again.
After outstanding performances from Rothwell Moffat, The Claytones, Red Moon Road and Autumn Canon we announced last call at the refreshment gardens seconds before a quick but heavy rain! Continuing with the luck of the day the skies cleared once again in time for a final amazing fireworks show to cap off Mississippi Mills Canada Day celebrations for 2014.
Personally I can’t say enough about all the volunteers and community groups it takes to pull off such a successful demonstration of community and national pride. Thank-you! Thank-you! Let’s do it again next summer.
Editor’s Note: And congratulations to Tiffany for a superb job.
