Re-establishment of OHW draws positive comments

SOUTH DUNDAS – All the feedback from South Dundas council following a presentation regarding a newly formed committee’s plan to bring back Old Home Week for Morrisburg’s 150th anniversary celebration was positive, but South Dundas mayor Robert Gillard opted to defer any decisions concerning a list of requests.

Gillard told the committee they would have their requests answered after a council meeting this month.

Committee chair Chuck Irvine, asked the township council:

• for permission to remove the old Morrisburg wading pool to develop a fountain and garden to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Morrisburg;

• for permission to use Earl Baker Park and the Waterfront for the festivities taking place Friday, July 23 to Sunday, August 1;

• for a donation of $10,000 to provide start up funds and encourage individual and corporate donations;

• for the township to provide a location for a historical display of archives;

• to allow usage of a 50x600 foot section of the Morrisburg Plaza parking lot for an OPP Golden Helmets performance on Saturday, July 31.

As the celebration begins with Antiquefest weekend and ends with Tubie weekend, the new committee has formed a partnership with the organization which runs those events, the Morrisburg and District Lions Club.

In addition to that partnership the committee includes broad representation from organizations including the Morrisburg BIA, South Dundas Chamber of Commerce, Morrisburg Legion, Morrisburg churches, St. Lawrence Acoustic Stage, a township representative and many individual volunteers.

The committee’s fund rasing target is $40,000. In addition to the funding request to the township they are hoping to secure a provincial grant designed for the establishment of ongoing festivals which encourage overnight stays and are pursing federal funds.

“We are confident that Old Home Week will be an ongoing festival for many years to come and believe it can be self-sustaining and highly successful once it has been re-established in the community,” said Irvine.

Some of the events in the planning stages for the 150th/OHW event include: church dinners, historical displays, arts and crafts show, midway and inflatable rides, buskers, musical entertainment, the return of Volley for Cancer, a Chinese Dragon Dance, Yuk Yuks, Duelling Pianos, Duke Ellington Band, steak barbecues and an expanded Tubie parade.

“It would be nice to see Old Home Week re-invented,” commented South Dundas mayor Robert ‘Rowdy’ Gillard, following Irvine’s presentation.

“I really like the idea of it continuing it on into a South Dundas festival,” added South Dundas councillor Evonne Delegarde.

“I wish you all the luck in the world,” said South Dundas councillor Jim Graham.