The beach at Joel Stone Park was a great place to play on Canada Day. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
The hottest spot to get cool on Canada Day was the splash pad in Gananoque. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
The crowd waited anxiously for the start of the evening’s entertainment at Joel Stone Park on Canada Day. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
Town Crier Brian Mabee opened the evening’s celebrations on Canada Day at Joel Stone Park. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands Mayor Corinna Smith-Gatcke was one of the dignitaries speaking on Canada Day at Joel Stone Park. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
MPP Steve Clark Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes was one of the dignitaries speaking on Canada Day at Joel Stone Park. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
Gananoque Mayor John Beddows was one of the dignitaries speaking on Canada Day at Joel Stone Park. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
Poet Laureate Gretchen Huntley was one of the dignitaries speaking on Canada Day at Joel Stone Park. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
Chickenwire provided the musical entertainment for the evening on Canada Day at Joel Stone Park. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
Chickenwire provided the musical entertainment for the evening on Canada Day at Joel Stone Park. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
(Gananoque, ON July 1, 2024) Perfect weather greeted the crowds as they came out to Joel Stone Park to celebrate Canada Day in Gananoque. Most were dressed in their patriotic red and white clothes, and all were ready for a good time.
Music for the evening was provided by the band Chickenwire. Face painting was available for all, and comic magician Rob Driscoll entertained to everyone’s delight. Dignitaries for the evening included Town Crier Brian Mabee, MPP Steve Clark Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, Gananoque Mayor John Beddows, Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands Mayor Corinna Smith-Gatcke, and Gananoque Poet Laureate Gretchen Huntley.
The younger kids got a chance to do a rescue obstacle course with the fire department, saving both an infant and an adult at the RibFest held in the sports fields at the Lou Jeffries Recreation Centre in Gananoque. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
Crowds were eager to try offerings from four great ribbers at RibFest held in the sports fields at the Lou Jeffries Recreation Centre in Gananoque. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
Two pirates greeted Town Crier Brian Mabee (right) on their ship, just part of the kid zone entertainment at RibFest held in the sports fields at the Lou Jeffries Recreation Centre in Gananoque. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
Mike Myers was only one of the musicians performing at RibFest held in the sports fields at the Lou Jeffries Recreation Centre in Gananoque. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
Ladies of all ages got up to dance to the free music at RibFest held in the sports fields at the Lou Jeffries Recreation Centre in Gananoque. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
Local resident Peggy Haggerty thoroughly enjoyed the ribs at RibFest held in the sports fields at the Lou Jeffries Recreation Centre in Gananoque. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
LorrJen Berry (left) joined Eileen and Glenna Wilberforce as they enjoyed RibFest held in the sports fields at the Lou Jeffries Recreation Centre in Gananoque.a ine Payette/for Postmedia Network
Rotary President Bern Hudson spoke on behalf of the Rotary at RibFest held in the sports fields at the Lou Jeffries Recreation Centre in Gananoque. The extremely popular annual event is brought to town by the Rotary and Lions Clubs of Gananoque. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
Lions RibFest organizer Doug Charbonneau spoke on behalf of the Lions Club at RibFest held in the sports fields at the Lou Jeffries Recreation Centre in Gananoque. The extremely popular annual event is brought to town by the Rotary and Lions Clubs of Gananoque. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
The dignitaries came out to support RibFest held in the sports fields at the Lou Jeffries Recreation Centre in Gananoque. L-r, Town Crier Brian Mabee, Gananoque Mayor John Beddows, MPP Steve Clark Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, and Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands Mayor Corinna Smith-Gatcke. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
Six brave duckie wranglers selected the winning entrants from the duckie drop RibFest held in the sports fields at the Lou Jeffries Recreation Centre in Gananoque. Front l-r, Arlo, Mia, Claire, Avery, Ava and Colin, rear Town Crier Brian Mabee. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
Kouri’s Kopters dropped the duckies into the “pond” at RibFest held in the sports fields at the Lou Jeffries Recreation Centre in Gananoque. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
Avery selecting the first winning duckie RibFest held in the sports fields at the Lou Jeffries Recreation Centre in Gananoque. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
Members of the Gananoque Skating Club picked up the leftover duckies at RibFest held in the sports fields at the Lou Jeffries Recreation Centre in Gananoque. The small plastic toys will be used again next year. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
Town Crier Brian Mabee helped the Lions Club distribute Canada Day cupcakes at RibFest held in the sports fields at the Lou Jeffries Recreation Centre in Gananoque. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
Ready to repel all boarders, young pirates joined in on the fun at RibFest held in the sports fields at the Lou Jeffries Recreation Centre in Gananoque. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
(Gananoque, ON July 1, 2024) The Gananoque Rotary and Lions Clubs teamed up once again for a successful RibFest held in the sports fields at the Lou Jeffries Recreation Centre. The four-day event included entertainment for all ages, vendors, and of course, the ribs. The four ribbers were Jack the Ribber, Route 55 BBQ, Silver Bullet BBQ, and Smoke House Bandits, and other food vendors were also available on-site.
“The smallest community to host Ribfest in Canada welcomes over 19,000 visitors every year,” says the website at www.1000islandsfamilyribfest.ca/ . “The Rotary & Lions Clubs of Gananoque give 100 percent of proceeds back to the community. They support charities, families and students and lead projects that positively change Gananoque and the 1000 Islands area. 1000 Islands Family Ribfest is a safe and clean event that everyone can enjoy.”
Janice Penney of Brockville demonstrated wool spinning at the Mallorytown Village Fair on August 26. Lorraine Payette
Catherine Blatch brought her tools and demonstrated bobbin lace making ay the Mallorytown Village Fair on August 26. Lorraine Payette
A sample of the bobbin lace being made by Catherne Blatch at the Mallorytown Village Fair on August 26. Lorraine Payette
Lots or people came out to visit the Mallorytown Communty Development Committee’s display at the Mallorytown Village Fair on August 26. Lorraine Payette
L-r, Karolyn and Marta of the St. Lawrence Islands National Park brought a display of local reptiles to the Mallorytown Village Fair on August 26. Lorraine Payette
The Brockville Social Club provided some of the live music at the Mallorytown Village Fair on August 26. Lorraine Payette
Amy Heddon of Head in Hats was one of the vendors at the Mallorytown Village Fair on August 26. Lorraine Payette
There were vendors selling all kinds of wonderful things at the Mallorytown Village Fair on August 26. Lorraine Payette
Evelyn Wright (6) of Jamee’s Farm brought her Sebright chickens to the Mallorytown Village Fair on August 26. Lorraine Payette
Joseph Wright (9) got his face painted at the Mallorytown Village Fair on August 26. Lorraine Payette
Mr. Bubbles Victor Limbeek is always a major hit with the kids at the Mallorytown Village Fair on August 26. Lorraine Payette
(Mallorytown, ON – August 26, 2023)
Coming back from the pandemic has not hurt the Mallorytown Village Fair. Originated in 2010, it lets people step back in time to the simple pleasures of live music throughout the day, a chance for kids to play old fashioned heritage games, adults could enjoy demonstrations of old skills like lace making and spinning. The library had a book sale and plenty of local artisans and vendors were available selling a wide variety of hand made items. A collection of poultry and produce was on display in addition to competitions in baking, floral and crafts. Educational booths had been brought in by Cataraqui Conservation, St. Lawrence Islands National Park, and the Mallorytown Community Development Committee. To learn more about other annual activities in the village go to mallorytown.ca/visitors/annual-events/ .
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