Cockatoos, Wallabies and Wine - Oh my!
The 23rd edition of the Ayer’s Cliff Music Fest was a resounding success, according to organizer Chrissie Mackey.
“There were over 100 trailers out. It’s nice to see people travelling in. A lot of them, we only get to see once a year.”
Mackey explained that though they are still calculating the funds, she believed Music Fest, combined with donations from the community and other events, was able to raise over $30,000 this year.
There was a bit of everything at this year’s fest, including a few Australian guests, courtesy of a down underthemed petting zoo.
“I love you!” exclaimed Ruffles the cuddly little cockatoo, one of the Aussie fest guests. The plumed, furry and fuzzy friends were the delight of Eve, this edition’s wish child, as well as everyone present on the rainy, but always memorable festival this past weekend.
“They had a wallaby! He was a little rambunctious,” laughed Mackey. “The cockatoo danced and sang and kept saying ‘I love you’. The children absolutely loved him.”
Eve is in remission. Thanks to a wish granted by Ayer’s Cliff Music Fest, she will be heading down under this September with her family.
“That’s what she seems to want to do most while she’s over there” said Mackey. “See the different animals and visit the country.” The petting zoo animators kept inviting Eve to come up and interact with the animals, Mackey said. The wish recipient spent two days at the Fest, not wanting to miss the event prepared especially for her.
“Eve is so sweet. We’re so glad she was able to come. It’s not always a possibility with our wish children.”
Mackey jokingly added that the Music Fest now considers rain to be its good luck charm.
“It was excellent, just excellent, despite the weather.”
The organizer was impressed by how beautifully arranged the game room was this year. “It was to die for,” gushed Mackey. “The decorators put in so much time and effort. They completely surpassed The auction group with Mackeys’ husband Peter in the center, wish child Eve on his right and Wish Foundation presenter Madeleine on his left. the past 22 years. There were balloons everywhere!”
She also commented on the D & P's runaway petting zoo, which is a long time favorite at the Music Fest, saying that it was once again a hit. “They changed it up this year. The whole barnyard was arranged differently. It was phenomenal.”
According to Mackey, the music and dancing went on until 1 a.m. during the festival. Those who attended took advantage of the bar, including their shooter cart, which was “in full swing”. There was also a plethora of games, barbeques and even a Mickey Mouse mascot to entertain the children.
One of the biggest hits of the night though, said Mackey, was the silent auction. The object that caused the most chatter, she confessed, was a five-litre bottle of wine. “I had put a limit on the price” she explained, “but people kept coming up to me and offering me more and more bids! It got quite competitive.”
Mackey admitted to trying to snag the bottle herself as well. “It turned out I was bidding against my son!” she laughed. “In the end we lost, and the bottle was sold for $1,000.”
The lucky owner of the massive bottle is Barbara Michaud, who said she is waiting to crack it open at her granddaughter’s wedding in September. Michaud, who just recently moved back to the Townships after leaving for Ontario in the 70s, said she tries to help the community when she can.
“The competition seemed to be quite fierce,” laughed Michaud, in regards to the auction. “My daughter was behind me during the bid going “Mom!”, but I said “I know my limit.”
“I did it for the children. I also participated in the turkey auction, since my granddaughter is in the 4H. I won the turkey once, and I gave it back to them. I just want to be able to contribute to the community.” The Hatley 4-H Club holds an annual turkey auction. The members raise the turkeys themselves. The profits from this go to help the Wish Foundation at the Music Fest.
“It’s been a lot of fun,” concluded Mackey. “There were a lot of tears. We were all so tired, but so, so happy,” she said, reflecting on another successful year.