There’s little reason to travel far from home during the summer when you live in the Lakeland area. Every weekend offers a chance to try an outdoor experience, whether it’s to go boating, biking, fishing, visiting U-picks – and if you’re willing to venture out of your own backyard, a chance to visit rural communities outside of your own and enjoy their annual festivals.
This weekend was no exception in providing entertainment, with the annual Ashmont Heritage Days and the Glendon Derby Daze invading the area and providing bang-up fun for kids of all ages. As an organizer of the upcoming Vilna Boomtown Days puts it of that festival, “Where else can you go to catch a pig or a chicken?” Where indeed, except for rural events that recapture the spirit of old-time carnivals and life, such as the always popular Haying in the 30’s. That event too has grown in exposure, with people coming from across the province to attend. For their work in putting on such an event in support of those battling cancer, founders Edgar and Cecile Corbiere are indeed worthy recipients of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal.
In fact, all the volunteers who dedicate their efforts to support their communities and give their time and energy to putting on summer events - when they could just as well be sitting around a lake and drinking cocktails – deserve our respect and thanks.
When you factor in the time to travel to a city, and the cost of attending big-time city fairs to be just another face in a big and busy crowd, there’s an enhanced appeal to staying local and visiting these charming events. Whether you’re going to the derby, a village festival or fair, or the rodeo, you’re guaranteed to see at least one familiar face and likely meet a lot more friendly strangers.
The season may be running short, but there’s still time to enjoy the last of the summer festivities, whether it’s Vilna’s Boomtown Days, Boscombe Days or St. Paul’s rodeo. So take advantage in these last few weeks before it’s back to the grindstone of September to go and visit someplace new and exciting or return to a festival you’ve always found familiar and inviting.
