Verona News

Published August 12, 2010

What a weekend! The Verona Cattail Festival was a resounding success. This was the festival of change. New location, new permanent theme and new parade route. From the very start, it was clear that Verona and area were more than willing to support the Festival in its new endeavour. The parade on Friday night was greeted by hundreds of smiling, happy viewers as the parade marched down Main St and wound through village streets to the Lions Center. Friday evening and all day Saturday the grounds were packed with eager festival goers who were enthralled with the musical entertainment and all the other activities.

In years past, Sunday would have been a Festival organizer's nightmare. Rain started in the morning and continued for the whole day. Conditions that would have ruined a previous festival only brought the community together for this one. The crowds came and they did not leave. Stalwart souls came for the ecumenical service and stayed for the rest of the afternoon. The Donna Clark Pavilion was packed, shoulder to shoulder, with over 280 people. Every other tent was filled. The rain came down even harder and the people in the pavilion and tents just smiled, relaxed and enjoyed the incredible performances by Crimson River, Mike Menor and the Hillbilly Cats and Luther Wright and the Wrongs.

There were many memorable moments in this festival. My favourite had to do with the Verona Train Express. The children loved it. Normally, the fare was $1.00 a ride but a group of volunteers and vendors pooled together money and enabled every child to have their first ride on the train for free. The train never had an empty spot and was constantly in motion. The rain on Sunday did not stop the children. They eagerly climbed onboard in the pouring rain and had a whale of a time.

The free Express Shuttle brought together the different sites in Verona with great success. The Duct Tape Boat Races had the largest number of participants and audience of any festival. McMullen Park was filled with over 170 classic cars for the Classic Car Show on Sunday, another record breaker for the Festival.

The Verona Community Association and the Festival Committee want to thank all the sponsors and donors who contributed to making this Festival a huge success. Another huge thank you to all the wonderful volunteers who so eagerly gave of their time and effort. And a final thanks is given to the General Manager, Wayne Conway, who successfully choreographed this festival to its brilliant conclusion.

And the summer fun is not over! Music in the Park Free Summer Concert featuring Bauder Road will be held this Sunday August 15th from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Bring your lawn chairs and prepare for a great afternoon of entertainment. Refreshments available. McMullen Park and Beach.

A hearty Happy Birthday wishes to Joshua Orser who will turn 1 year old on August 13. Proud parents are Grant Orser and Christina Wilson and older brother, Brent.

Debbie Lingen

For more information about Verona, Ontario please contact:
Debbie Lingen

debbie@lingens.com
613-374-2091

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