There was lots to see and do as Watford marked the 150th anniversary of the town. Friday’s opening ceremonies were soggy, but that didn’t diminish the crowds. By Saturday, the sun came out and the downtown was alive with activity. Sunday’s big finale was the community dinner at the East Lambton Community Complex.
Indigenous dancers open the Watford 150 birthday celebrations.Indigenous dancers open the Watford 150 birthday celebrations.Indigenous dancers open the Watford 150 birthday celebrations.Indigenous dancers open the Watford 150 birthday celebrations.Lauren Wade, Remi Minten, Brynlee Downey and Kate Sanders were part of opening ceremonies of the Watford 150 celebrations Friday. The St Peter Canisius students sang Hey You – a song written for Watford’s 50th anniversary.Frances and Kelly Olson of Watford North Dakota take in some of the opening celebrations.Lambton County mayors Mike Bradley and Ian Veen are joined by former Brooke-Alvinston Mayor Don McGugan and the CAO of Lambton, Stephane Thiffeault, at Watford’s 150th anniversary celebration Friday nightRae Parker and her friend, Claire Soetemans, (with her back to camera) were taking in the celebrations under the cover of an umbrella.What is a birthday party without cake or in this case cupcakes.Saturday was filled with activities including a chance to see the Searson Sawmill in action. Hundreds of people came to see the steampowered operation in action.Jason Searson led a crew cutting planks at the Searson Sawmillion on Nauvoo RoadThe Lucky Barber balances cigar boxes during his Saturday afternoon actThe Lucky Barber Saturday afternoon in WatfordThe Youth Fair attracted a wide array of entries.Kate Sanders poses for a photo in the downtown for her mom.The Petrolia Community Players, dressed in period costume, stop to talk to some excited little girls SAturday.Paul Shanahan had a few new listings on the board at his downtown real estate office, historic homes in Watford.The antique fire truck in front of the Watford museum was a popular spot for photosThe Presbyterian Church in Watford was also celebrating its 150th anniversary this weekend. Many people touring the building were surprised to find a rose window above the pulpit. It can’t be seen from the exterior of the building.Horse drawn tours of Watford were a popular attractionDozens of tractors lined the East Lambton Community Complex parking lotThe Mudmen played Friday night, despite the rainThe Searson Saw Mill put on a spark show at night Saturday after milling logs all day.Classic cars covered the entire field near the tennis courts at the ELCCClassic cars covered the entire field near the tennis courts at the ELCCThe room was packed for the formal dinner Saturday nightThere was also a kids cornhole competition.Photo via Facebook
The Watford 150 organizing committee, some of the volunteers and local dignitaries on Friday night. Over 100 people helped with the celebration.
Heather Wright/The Independent Like the movie says; if you build it, they will come. The Alvinston Pro Rodeo committee brought in larger stands hoping to accommodate visitors to the three-day event. Saturday night, those stands were filled and there were still people looking for seats according to Chairman Dan Cumming. Here’s just some of the action from the event:
FROM LAMBTON PUBLIC HEALTH With the prediction of hot and humid weather expected to start on Saturday,June 21 and continue into next week, Environment and Climate Change Canada is issuing a HeatWarning for Lambton County. Heat warnings are issued when two or more consecutive days of daytime maximum temperatures areexpected to reach 31°C or warmer and nighttime minimum temperatures are
Heather Wright/The Independent Before there was money to bring a bus into Wyoming, Susan Mills was answering questions from residents about a new rural transit system. The Town of Plympton-Wyoming became a partner in the rural transit system called Huron Shores Area Transit earlier this spring. But service didn’t begin immediately. Lambton Shores, which runs the system, and its partners,
Heather Wright/The Independent Plympton-Wyoming Deputy Mayor Netty McEwen says it doesn’t make sense to spend $20,000 to study a bridge that goes nowhere. Paul daSilva, Director of Public Works, in a report to council June 11, suggested spending $40,000 to do Municipal Environmental Assessments on two low-traffic bridges, one on O’Brien Road, the other on Elmsley Road. “I took a