Fireworks and fun as Norwood celebrates Canada Day
Live music, awards, kids’ activities and more
The red and white of our cherished maple leaf flag was on proud display at the Asphodel Norwood Community Centre for Canada’s 151st birthday party on July 1.
Due in part to the recent heatwave most of the village's celebrations were held inside the Community Centre and township residents were greeted with a large array of fun and entertaining Canada Day activities to enjoy.
The Lions Club had their trusty grills fired up outside to satisfy any hunger pangs with some traditional and tasty barbecued fare. Ice cream from the IODE booth was also a not surprisingly very popular treat.
For the children the go-to spot was the nearby splash pad that was operating at peak capacity with a steady stream of happy kids. Once inside (after their parents got them away from the water park of course) the kids could take part in a treasure hunt, have a go on the bouncy castle, build an actual bird house or have their face painted, youngsters also had a chance to win some prizes by participating in a Canada Day themed decorated bike (and rider) competition.
The local school children participated in a Canada day poster contest and their artistic labours were proudly displayed for all to admire. The Farmers Olympics returned this year and were also held inside with teams of four competing against each other to see which team could get through a sequence of “farm related chores” the fastest.
A Celebrity Dunk Tank was also part of the fun, no doubt helping some local politicians to “cool down” a bit. Musical entertainment was provided throughout the day by a variety of local artists and bands, this year the celebrations also included a talent contest complete with judges and prizes such as a family pass to the Reptile Zoo and the Norwood Fair.
During the ‘official portion’ of the day and following O Canada, greetings were received from Peterborough County Warden Joe Taylor, Norwood Fair Ambassador Alexa Vanderhorst and Asphodel-Norwood Mayor Terry Low.
Deputy Mayor Roger Bonneau had the honour of presenting the Senior of the Year Award to Doreen Allen-Bell (Doreen’s story will appear in next week’s column).
The night was capped off with fireworks.
Recognition award
Asphodel-Norwood Mayor Terry Low presented the annual Asphodel Norwood Community Recognition Award during the Canada Day celebrations to a “more than deserving organization” The Norwood IODE. The award was established by the late Jack and Marguerite Stewart and is sponsored by the Stewart family.
Their local IODE's earliest fundraiser was a concert in 1913 to raise funds to supply uniforms to our local cadets; they continue to support our troops overseas with regular care packages. The Norwood Cenotaph was also an initiative of the IODE back in 1924 as well as its restoration a few years ago (along with the Westwood War memorial too.) The IODE is currently heavily involved with the mission to establish the new Norwood Hospice. A well-deserved honour for a most charitable group and also very fitting in way, as one of the awards founders the late Marguerite Stewart was a lifetime member of the Norwood IODE.