By MPP Toby Barrett
As I attend the many events lined up throughout the fall, I am reminded of our agricultural, outdoors and cultural heritage and the giving spirit of people in Haldimand-Norfolk. It is heartening to be the elected representative of such a caring and generous community.
Our fall season has kicked off with so many events ranging from Port Rowan’s Bayfest to Hagersville’s End of Summer to Haldimand Motor’s Great Tricycle Race, leading into Delhi’s Fall Fest, Cornstock at Wagon Wheel Produce and the War of 1812 Re-enactment at Backus.
The Sept. 15 and 16 weekend is also busy, with the Canadian Drilling Rig Museum’s annual open house, and Sunday’s Touch-a-Truck for the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit at the Jukasa Motor Speedway, the Dead End Street Rodders show in Delhi, and Trinity Anglican Church in Simcoe celebrating its 170th anniversary.
The toughest thing with all the many community suppers coming up is choosing between them. The September choices alone include the Teeterville Legion chicken barbecue on Sept. 8, as well as the Walpole Antique Farm Machinery Association beef dinner. Both are excellent, as are the many fundraising walks and other dinners – too numerous to mention – out there.
Hosted by Community Addictions and Mental Health Services, the Igniting Hope Suicide Prevention Walk on Sept. 10, will start at Wellington Park and continue to the fairgrounds. The Alzheimer Society will be celebrating its 25th anniversary with the Remember Me dinner on Sept. 21.
Sept. 14 is the Delhi Community Health Centre’s Harvesting the Bounty Inaugural Gala & Fundraiser at the German Hall. War Memorial Hospital continues their efforts with a Dunnville dinner on Oct. 15.
Area hunters and anglers look forward to their fall harvest, spending time in field and stream with hopes of putting meat in the freezer. Some seasons are already underway. Waterfowler Heritage Day is Sept. 15, and the next generation has the opportunity to also hunt the week before the general opener. The Long Point Waterfowl Management Unit will be open for the event. There are many examples of hunters supporting conservation throughout the riding, for example, the Port Rowan Ducks Unlimited Dinner is Sept. 28.
Long Point Lions are celebrating 80 years of volunteering to improve the community. An open house is planned from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sept. 22. The Norfolk Studio Tour also takes place on Sept. 22and 23.
Our many volunteers that make fall fairs happen deserve kudos. These include the Langton Fair on Sept. 19, and continue with the Donnybrook Fair on Sept. 22-23, the Houghton Fair Sept. 27, the Caledonia Fair on Sept. 27-30 and the Norfolk County Fair on Oct. 2-8.
After the Norfolk County Fair, Pumpkinfest is one of the big draws with its parade and the excellent decorating of the town by Waterford citizens.
One group of humble heroes who often don’t get enough credit is the volunteers that keep branches of the Royal Canadian Legion operating in towns throughout Haldimand and Norfolk. Making Remembrance Day ceremonies happen is one of their important responsibilities.
From the somber to the celebratory, Santa Claus parades and Christmas festivities commence the weekend after Remembrance Day.
Looking forward to seeing you at some of this fall’s events – we are truly blessed to have so many worthy causes and fun events happening every autumn across Haldimand-Norfolk.
Toby Barrett is the MPP for Haldimand-Norfolk