Event organizer Sarah Trelford (right) stands with Sarah Smith (centre) and her band members (left to right) Ken Ross, Jordon Brosseau and Robyn McDonald, as they show off their own ugly sweaters.

Hub Staff

There were lots of unsightly Christmas outfits at the Queen's Bar & Grill December 3 as they hosted the seventh annual Ugly Sweater Party.

The event, organized by Saugeen Shores resident Sarah Trelford, raises money for the Women’s House Serving Bruce and Grey (WHSBG). Trelford said she wanted to raise money that would benefit something locally and that what is raised goes to a specific cause. “The money doesn't sit in an account, it goes directly to the houses for the kids at Christmas,” she said. “It's also for Christmas for the women to buy what they need.”

Trelford said that the sweaters were hard to find the first year she organized the event. “You couldn't just go to a store so everyone went to the Salvation Army or we made them. Now you can buy them everywhere.”

Raffle prizes donated from local businesses saw a wide range of items from gift certificates to services such as a catered dinner and a bicycle valued at $600. A late night buffet and live music from London’s Sarah Smith all added to the festive fundraiser.

Queen's Bar & Grill was also donating $1 to the Women's House every time the hashtag #thequeensbaruglysweater was posted on Instagram and Trelford praised Queen's owner Pier Donnini for his help with the event. “Pier is so good with the community,” she said. “I'm usually making food all day and making sure the bands are going to be on time. I didn't have to do any of that. It just simplified it this year.”

Donnini said that the evening raised $2,000 plus another $1,000 donated from the Queen's, which included their hashtag promotion, for a total of $3,000 for the Women's House.

Musician Sarah Smith said that supporting women’s houses was very important to her. “Anything that helps other people I like to get behind,” she said. “I love helping people but I can only help people at the moment through my music so if we can combine music and a special cause, especially if it has to do with women, I am a woman as well. It's not a gender or a sexist thing, it’s just that it’s nice to help your sisters out.”

Tiffany Love, Community & Fund Development Coordinator of WHSBG, said that she thought this had been the best year for the event. “It was fantastic. It was just packed, you couldn't move,” she said. “Christmas is a really hard time at the shelter so events like this are really helpful.”

Left to right, organizer Sarah Trelford, Doug Bresee, Johanne Bresee, Linda Stuckey and Chuck Stuckey, who had come to support the event and the Women’s House Serving Bruce and Grey.

Dressed the part (left to right) Steven Vanloffeld, Jennifer Martino, Rachel Ward and Amanda Stokes were ready to show their support and enjoy an evening of entertainment at the seventh annual Ugly Sweater Party at the Queen’s Bar & Grill in Port Elgin.

On the left, event organizer Sarah Trelford (right) stands with helper Chelsea Lalvin Smith Maas and Queen’s Bar & Grill owner Pier Donnini. On the right, Heather Little (left) and Cathy Fenton were out in support of the fundraising, festive event.

On the left, Chanse and Sara Davies; while on the right, Lisa Vanbeek and Carolyn Cafik were out in their colourful, festive attire in support of the Women’s House Serving Bruce and Grey.

Queen's Bar & Grill staff member Ryan von Dunger and Caroline Dadswell were also dressed for the occasion.

Raffle prizes donated from local businesses were on display and included wide range of items from gift certificates to services such as a catered dinner and a bicycle valued at $600. A late night buffet and live music from Sarah Smith all added to the festive fundraiser.

Sarah Smith performs at the seventh annual Ugly Sweater Party held at the Queen's Bar & Grill in Port Elgin December 3.