Birthday bash

What a party! Strolling through the streets of Wellington in the wee hours of Tuesday morning—there was scant evidence of the festivities, celebration and activities that had lit up the village over the past four days. The sidewalks were scrubbed, the park returned to lush verdancy, and the trash had long been bagged up and carted away.

It is back to work this week for many—but the memories formed over this weekend will linger for a long time in the minds of many. This was a big birthday—150 years since the village was formed. It was an occasion to showcase the amazing talent and resources that reside in this community, to show off the embarrassment of natural riches Wellington enjoys—water, beach, parks and historylined streets.

The fun got underway on Thursday night with Free Movies in the Park. Dozens of kids and adults alike gathered lakeside on a gorgeous and tranquil summer night to munch on popcorn and be carried away by the adventures of a young Scottish lass in the animated movie Brave. Evan Nash and Erik Rubadeau may be encouraged to stage more movies in the park later this summer.

On Friday nostalgia reigned supreme as the story of Wellington thru the Ages unfolded at Highline Hall at the Wellington and District Community Centre. It was standingroom- only for show that used costumes, music, theatre, comedy and a cast of dozens to walk through time from first settlers to modern day. The show offered a charming and lighthearted look at how history shaped this community and how in small ways this community shaped history.

The show was largely a result of the work, creativity and energy of residents of Wellington on the Lake—providing yet another wonderful showcase for the talents and vibrancy these folks contribute to this community.

Many have asked the show to be restaged, so positive has been the feedback been so far. Show organizers say it is too soon to know if it even possible. The logistics are immense and the costs are not insignificant. But the producers are thrilled by the reaction to the show and promise more Wellington stories to be told in this way.

Saturday morning the action moved to Wellington Harbour where young anglers plied the waters off the dock to compete in the Wellington Elks Lodge fishing derby. There was no shortage of sunfish, perch and big wide smiles on offer Saturday morning.

Further out in the channel grudge matches were the order of the day as the Lions’ club presented Dragon Boat races pitting crews led by some fierce competitors. The dueling politicians pitted a paddling team led by Mayor Peter Mertens against a crew headed by MP Todd Smith. Mayor Mertens edged out his provincial counterpart, quipping it’s the first time the County has beaten Queen’s Park.

In the battle of the Wellington padres, it was the United Church’s minister Steve Spicer who nosed out Andrew Wilson, minister of the Anglican Church. Both likely thanked God for their triumph—though clearly she was looking more favourably upon the United Church on this Saturday morning.

On Sunday evening, traffic was diverted as Main Street became a giant dance floor. Young and old twisted and shook to classics from the ’50s and ’60s and beyond. It was the fifteenth Canada Day appearance in Wellington by Eddie and the Sting Rays, who revved up the pace and rolled back the clock.

The music gave way at dusk to a stunning fireworks display over the bay on a magically warm and still night. Massive bursts of colour rained down over the hundreds of spectators lining the beach, the docks and on boats gathered just past the lighthouse.

Warm and filling pancakes by the Friends of the Wellington Heritage Museum combined with the tasty tunes of Station Road got the festivities on Monday off to a great start and with a full stomach.

The parade featured the wonderful symbolism of the region’s first settler reunited with the native population. Daniel Reynolds’s descendant, Rob Callow, and Bay of Quinte Mohawk Chief Don Maracle rode together as a sign of abiding friendship and community.

Perhaps the highlight of the parade was the wonderfully poignant P.O.O.C.H. (Patrons of our County Hospital) float. It featured patients young and old, injured and infirm, pleading for the return of their hospital to local hands. The float managed to capture the urgency and importance of reclaiming an institution that was conceived, built and funded by this community for this community. P.O.O.C.H. has been leading the protest to demand that it be returned to this community.

The float was both a sober reminder of the challenges that lay ahead and an inspiring statement of the creativity, imagination and resourcefulness that reside in Wellington.

It was a time to look back upon the great community that has developed in Wellington, and to imagine the greatness yet to come.

rick@wellingtontimes.ca