Day in the Park a royal affair
Jason Chase had an unsuccessful bid in the Welland Rose Festival’s baby show when he was a toddler more than 30 years ago, but after this weekend – his family is finally able to celebrate a victory in the popular event.
As part of the Days in the Park at Chippawa Park, his son Matthew was crowned the Rose Bud King after Saturday’s contest, which drew 37 infants all trying to be cuter than their competitors in seven age-based categories for both boys and girls.
“He’s got some bragging rights now over Dad,” said Chase about his son receiving the accolade, which also gets the young child and his parents a spot in next Sunday’s Rose Festival grande parade.
Kristy Chase, Jason’s wife, also said it’s “so cute” that they are already acquainted with the parents of the Rose Bud Queen Allison Lavender’s parents – Amber and Jordan.
Kristy was a server at the Chase’s wedding in 2014 at the nowclosed Riverstone Event Centre
and Jordan and Jason both attended Eastdale Secondary School together.
“It’s pretty cool,” Jordan said about the relationship he has with his fellow royal parents, purposely wearing his Boston Bruins hat to a photo op with the Tribune on Sunday, knowing that Jason would likely be wearing a Toronto Maple Leafs logo somewhere on his clothes.
Coincidentally, Amber’s cousin and her husband, Colleen and Stewart Penwarden, were also elated about four years ago when their daughter Abby was crowned with the same title.
“Now, we have two rose buds in the family. We’re pretty proud,” she said.
Jo-Ann Wilson, one of the organizers of the baby show, said this year’s turnout was much bigger than in recent years because of a major push on social media leading up to the weekend.
“We had a lot of hype about it – so it worked out,” said Wilson, calling the show “one of the big mainstays” of the festival.
Several vendors also greeted festival goers on Saturday and Sunday — one of them Rino Naccarado, the owner of Rose City Pizza, who has been setting up at the 57th annual celebration for the last 15 years.
“It’s a wonderful thing for the city and it’s always a nice show. That’s why we keep coming back,” said Naccarado, who was operated his business in the city since 1981.
Levi Seely was at the park on Sunday with his three young children, saying the annual component of the festival is something he hasn’t missed in years.
“My kids like to play the games — and it’s a fun time out for everyone,” he said.
The Rose Festival continues next Sunday with the parade in North Welland. There will be several viewing areas set up along Niagara Street in time for its 1 p.m. start.
Next Saturday, the annual street dance will take place on Saturday night downtown.