All dressed in their Southampton best, over 100 people gathered on the Southampton beach to have a group photograph taken for the first annual Southampton Sweater Day, all in the name of Southampton pride.

Hub Staff

Well over a hundred people gathered at Southampton's beach by the big flag on August 27, a warm summer morning, for the first annual Southampton Sweater Day.

The Saugeen Team, Re/Max Land Exchange Ltd. Brokerage organized the event in hopes of starting a new tradition for people to celebrate their Southampton pride. “This is an opportunity to just support and promote Southampton,” said Saugeen Team Broker, Scott Saunders. “To celebrate Southampton and all that's good about this incredible community that we live in.”

People of all ages came out dressed in a variety of Southampton sweatshirts, T-shirts, hoodies and ball caps, some new and some that were years old, to gather on the beach for the unique photo opportunity. There were even some four legged friends who participated with donned Southampton attire.

A boom truck parked at the base of High Street hoisted local photographer Jennifer O'Reilly up high to take the photograph of all who gathered to be part of the celebration. Digital as well as printed copies of the photo were on offer.

Saunders said he was “very pleased” with the turnout. “We said from the beginning it didn't matter how many people showed up, four, 40 or 400, it would all be the same and the purposes are the same.”

Steve and Elsa Bell came out to celebrate Southampton with their 8 month old daughter, Merra Brae.

Photographer Jennifer O'Reilly (standing, left) with the Saugeen Team, organizers of first annual Southampton Sweater Day. Seated, left to right, Scott Saunders, Ashley Leighton, Lauren Palko, Samantha Trumbley and Krista Gill; standing, right, Terry Crowe.

On the left, stood with six year old local Great Dane, Paige, who was also wearing a Southampton sweatshirt, it was a double celebration for Sam Taus as she celebrated her birthday. On the right, Southampton resident Louie, a King Charles Cavalier, had a big smile on his face as he wore his Southampton shirt.

While people gathered on the beach, local photographer Jennifer O'Reilly got a bird’s eye view in the bucket of a boom truck at end of High Street as she took a group photo for the first annual Southampton Sweater Day, August 27.