Shawville
Caleb Nickerson
SHAWVILLE June 30 – July 2, 2017
Despite menacing clouds and brief periods of torrential rain, hundreds of people came out to Shawville over the weekend to celebrate the 150th anniversary of confederation. The members of the 150 committee, headed by Patti Moffatt, along with dozens of volunteers had their hands full coordinating activities for all ages.

Friday
The festivities kicked off Friday morning with an open air market along Main Street. In addition to a magician, face painting, balloon animals as well as a barbeque put on by Joanne’s Valu-mart, several local businesses were out selling their wares from the sidewalk.
Though Mother Nature cooperated for the majority of the day, attendees were forced to run for cover as a massive deluge of water was unleashed early in the afternoon.
During the monsoon, about a dozen local children gathered with their relatives at Town Hall for a cake decorating contest and auction. Local MP Will Amos judged the children’s creations and decided that out of the 11 entries, Ben Judd’s precise topping placement deserved first prize. Abigail and Koltyn Nguyen took second, Mason and Felix Vereyken claimed third, Reese Rusenstrom came in fourth and Chloe Trudeau rounded out the top five. Every child was given a gift certificate for their participation.
Following the adjudication, the confections were auctioned off by Molly McGuire, resulting in several heated bidding wars and a lot of laughter all around. In total, the auction brought in over $300 to go towards the celebrations.
After the rainclouds had expended their wrath, the sun returned in time for the Shawville Clarendon Fire Department’s soap box derby, held on Victoria Street. Dozens of youngsters donned helmets and piloted their cars down the hill to the delight of onlookers. In the past, participants had to put up a modest entry fee but this year Shawville councillor Frank Stafford covered the cost of the derby.
Members of the fire department were on hand to keep the evening running smoothly and luckily their first responder expertise wasn’t required by any of the racers. Valu-Mart staff were on hand to provide refreshments.
The winners, by age group were: Ages four to six: Arthur Martineau, Blake Barber, Jack Sally and Felix Vereyken. Ages seven to nine: Bennett Rusenstrom, James Ward, Camille Monyeon and Ava Hitz. Ages 10 to 12: Morgan Barr, Ava Thomas, Charlie Ward and Kori Sharpe.
Saturday
The Shawville Lions and Lionettes got things going early Saturday morning with a breakfast that brought out several hundred people. Mountains of scrambled eggs, ham and peameal bacon were doled out to the hungry masses. Below the Lions Hall, the arena was filled with vendors for the annual flea market.
Chris Beimers and his wife Melanie Duchesne have organized the event for the past nine years. Beimers said that this year’s market was the largest by far. Every spot was occupied and he said there was even a vendor waitlist in case someone cancelled last minute. Roughly a third of the tables were filled with donated items and there was a 50/50 draw and silent auction to boot.
“The first few years we did it for the dialysis project but once that goal was met we just do it for the hospital foundation,” he explained, adding that this year they opened both Saturday and Sunday. “Each year we try to choose something that we know the hospital needs.”
Though the exact numbers had yet to be compiled at the time of print, Beimers said the flea market brought in well over $4,000 for the Pontiac Community Hospital Foundation, smashing last year’s record of $3,500.
Outside, a carnival was held with plenty of exciting activities for young children, as well as a magic show.
In the early afternoon, hundreds of people turned out for the parade, which made its way down Main Street to the fairgrounds. Lead by members of the Shawville Clarendon Fire Department, it included a horse-drawn float from the Lions Club as well as entries from Bethel Pentecostal Church and local businesses.
Local entertainers, including Thursday Morning, Simon Clarke and Joey Vaillancourt, played their tunes in the Ag Hall during the afternoon and evening, with Ottawa country singer Levi Hart closing out the day’s performers.
As darkness fell that evening, the firefighters outdid themselves with an impressive barrage of fireworks that attracted a sizable crowd.
Sunday
The final day of the weekend was gorgeous and sunny, though rather subdued compared to the previous two, with local car buffs turning out to show off their babies at the fairgrounds. The show was organized by Lucy Kingsbury and attracted machines of all makes and models.
Darl Garlough of Thorne was showing his 1973 Mustang convertible, which has been in his family since it was new.
“It doesn’t get out very often but for stuff like this on a nice day, we’ll bring it,” he said, explaining that other than a new fuel pump and tank, all the parts are original.
He said he grew up with cars and still enjoys getting under the hood.
“I still like tinkering a little bit but I don’t like getting dirty or splitting my knuckles like I used to,” he said. “With these, they’re simple. They’re not like the new stuff with electronics or computers.”
In the evening, the Pontiac Ministerial Association put on an Ecumenical service at the Ag Hall.
By all accounts, this year’s Canada Day celebrations were a resounding success.