By Cindy Campbell
Published Sept. 12 2017
Summer is over. Many will debate if it really happened this year but the calendar date tells us all to move on to autumn! This summer saw many more visitors to downtown because the rain made outside activities more difficult. So in the end perhaps we can be a little more thankful for the poor weather and the extra spending of our visitors and the economic boost it provides to our community.
Admittedly this is my favourite time of the year because of the cool crisp air the amazing colours as the leaves change and thankfully no mosquitos. Labour Day has always signified a new beginning and fresh start. Embrace the new and challenge yourself to set new goals.
With autumn comes the wonderful talents of a very dedicated group of volunteers led by Debra Dart who decorate the Downtown Haliburton streetscape. People have told me that they can’t wait to visit downtown every day to see when the decorations will be up. Debra and her great team of volunteers head out and personally cut down corn stalks generously donated by a local farmer. Then deliver the corn stalks to each site with the straw bales flowers baskets and scarecrows. A huge thank you to them for everything they do to make downtown Haliburton even more beautiful.
We will also celebrate Colourfest before my next opportunity to reach out to you. The volunteer committee led by the multi-talented Andrea Mueller has been hard at work planning a fun-filled day on Saturday Sept. 30. Events are planned from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Highland Street and in Head Lake Park.
There will be horse-drawn wagon rides on Highland Street boarding in front of the Village Barn. There will be a classic car show in Head Lake Park. Youth Unlimited will have a kids zone and returning this year a bouncy castle. The Rotary Club will test your strength and accuracy in the pumpkin rolling contest. RPM will have boat rides on Head Lake and there will be a special edition of the farmers’ market. Free balloons will be given out as well. There will be musicians dance groups and buskers to entertain you.
New this year is face painting – always popular with the children! And also new this year is an upgraded Build a Scarecrow contest. This year you are encouraged to bring some of your own materials to build and customize your scarecrow. Examples of what to bring include clothing sunglasses gloves and shoes and whatever you want. Your creativity is the limit and the prizes are worth your effort!
During the day enjoy the Lions Club barbecue in Head Lake Park and Colourfest will end with a Beef Dinner at St. George’s Anglican Church from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Food prices are very reasonable.
In addition to all of these activities the downtown Haliburton businesses will be offering special discounts and offers to celebrate Colourfest. Please bring the whole family and see you in downtown Haliburton on Sept. 30.
