Under a Canadian themed balloon arbour in Council Chambers are members of the Saugeen Shores 150th Planning Committee. Front, from left, Committee Members Connie Barker and Christine Cooper. Back, from left, Committee Administrative Assistant Heather Lorenz, Ann Marie Johnston and Faye Menage. In a delegation to Council May 8, Committee explained all the free events that will be taking place in Saugeen Shores, kicking off June 30 and running through July 9.

Hub Staff

It started with a spelling test, with easy words, Canada and Saugeen Shores, but when Saugeen Shores 150th Planning Committee member Christine Cooper asked councillors, members of the press and council attendees to spell sesquicentennial while standing under a Canadian themed balloon arbour, the nervous laughter did not interfere with a few booming and proud spellers in Council Chambers.

Cooper, alongside “eh team” committee member Connie Barker, highlighted many events that will be taking place from June 30 to July 9 during their delegation to Council May 8.

The two also thanked Council for their financial contribution of $65,000, funded from the Tax Stabilization Reserve, with additional funding covering a part time wage for an Administrative Coordinator.

Free events in celebration of Canada’s 150th will be taking place in Port Elgin and Southampton with confirmed events promoted throughout the delegation.

The Committee requested Council to allow the closing of portions of High Street through to Millard Boulevard in Southampton between June 28 and July 2 to allow the erection of a Heritage tent and create space for a parade route.

Barker said that organizing the event has been “moving” as various other committees and groups have unselfishly asked what was needed. “It has been just amazing how they’ve come forward,” said Barker May 8.

The Committee has created 10,000 flyers promoting Saugeen Shores events that will be sent to various tourist information centres across Ontario. “We’re inviting Ontario to come on down to Saugeen Shores to see how it’s done,” said Barker.

The Saugeen Shores 150th Planning Committee also had with them their 27x51’ commemorative flag for everyone in attendance, including councillors, to sign. The flag will make its way to local schools and senior centres with Christine Cooper estimating 4,000 signatures before the 150th celebrations.

“On July 1 the flag will be sent from Coulter Parkette - at Poutinefest - and will be paraded with a formal colour guard provided by the Port Elgin Legion, and then it will be on board the S.S. Trolly for its first ride of the summer to the Southampton Coliseum,” said Cooper. She added that the flag will “wait in state” at the Coliseum, where members of the public will have their last chance at signing the flag.

“At 2 p.m., it will be paraded by local veterans and service people down High Street, as a part of the parade to support the flag,” she said. When the giant flag is hoisted on the poll, the Allegro Youth Corus will sing the national anthem. The flag is to stay through July 1 and 2 before it is taken down and placed in the Bruce County 150th time capsule.

Homeowners are asked to “paint the town red and white” during the Canada Day long weekend by decorating their home for a curb appeal contest, with first, second and third place prizes from local businesses Port’s Emporium, Accents and The Hamptons. “We’re going to judge them as to the best decorated, and they could be tacky or classy,” said Committee member Faye Menage.

Councillor Don Matheson then mentioned that the local BIAs have tasked the Saugeen District Secondary School Greenhouse with creating red and white hanging baskets for both downtowns. “If anybody is planting flowers this year, make sure you get the red and white out, as was said we want to make Saugeen (Shores) loud and proud.”

Homeowners interested in participating in the decorating will be able to sign up through the Saugeen Shores 150th Planning Committee website, sscelebrates150.ca in the coming weeks with confirmed events also available on the website.

Councillor John Rich signed his name to the 27x51’ commemorative Canadian Flag May 8. The flag features a white signature border.

Saugeen Shores 150th Planning Committee member Christine Cooper during her delegation to Saugeen Shores Council May 8.