Dan Slinger and Christina Edwards of Blackboard Sound in Port Elgin were busy fielding questions and signing new students up for music lessons at the Leisure Fair. With the help of École Port Elgin Saugeen Central School’s music teacher, Matthew Patterson, Blackboard Sound will be starting a youth band, Grades 6 to 12, where musicians can receive private lessons and participate in music festivals.

Hub Staff

An abundance of activity and excitement took over the Rotary Hall at the Plex in Port Elgin, as families signed up for their favourite after-school programs, while discovering new opportunities at the annual Fall and Winter Leisure Fair.

With line ups for dance lessons, Karate classes, speed skating to music lessons framing the room, at times there was barley space to maneuver through all that was being offered.

Town of Saugeen Shores Marketing and Programs Coordinator, Laura Moscone said families were lined up before the doors even opened and were eager to sign-up for all the programming offered throughout Saugeen Shores.

“It’s getting bigger and bigger. Next year, I'm going to have to find more space,” said Mascone, adding that the longest line up was for swimming lessons, where registration was placed downstairs in the municipal offices.

Anticipating lengthy wait times, members from the swimming club had activities for children available. “We have a couple people from the pool here who are making buttons with the kids and entertaining them while they’re in line,” said Mascone.

She later added that parents can also sign their children up for municipal programs such as swimming and Professional Activity (PA) Day camps online at Saugeen Shores’ Recreation page[http://www.saugeenshores.ca/en/community-life/sports-and-recreation.asp].

Mascone said there were many new sports and activities being represented at the Leisure Fair. New this year were choir programs and drama clubs; speed skating, which is having a strong inaugural season; and curling, with club members at the ready to answer questions.

Irish dancer Abygale (right) and her mother Mary Ray Young represented the Celtic Academy at the Leisure Fair, which took place at the Plex September 7.

On the left, Flight Corporal Noah Aasman, age 15; and Sargeant Connor Drope, age 17, both of Port Elgin, were on hand to help recruit new cadets at the Leisure Fair September 7. On the right, while waiting to sign up for swimming lessons Garrett, age 4; and older brother Aiden Wallace, age 7, proudly showed off the buttons they had made together at the Plex.

Toby de Gryp skillfully dodged son Carrick’s new toy at the Leisure Fair. Jimmy de Gryp (right) was at the fair looking at new activities to try, and pointed out an interest in joining the Air Cadet program.

Rotary Hall at the Plex was a busy place to be September 7 as families lined up for a variety of activities at the annual Leisure Fair.