It takes a lot more than rain, the threat of more rain and cloudy skies to wipe a smile off the face of Sara Moody-Veldhuis.
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“I’ve been connected to the Simcoe Heritage Friendship Festival in one way or another since 2009 and we’ve dealt with inclement weather before,” Moody-Veldhuis said after the festival opened with rain on Saturday morning. “It’s nothing new.
“The rain will pass and meanwhile people will still come out to enjoy the weekend and why wouldn’t they?”
The festival has something for everyone and that’s especially true when it comes to food, said Moody-Veldhuis.
“We have a lot of food trucks here and we have every meal – breakfast, lunch and supper – covered and we ice cream for dessert,” she said. “We’ve also got a lot of live entertainment and vendors throughout all of the parks.
“We’ve also got a fantastic kids zone.”
The festival got its start in 1967, and has been held annually – except for one year during the COVID pandemic. It features a range of activities in Wellington, Clifton and Grant Anderson parks over the Civic Holiday long weekend.
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While some people took in a performance by musician Dan Walsh, others, like four-year-old Daphe Rohr of Brantford, found other ways to have fun. Daphe was busy making large bubbles with her aunt Christine Wallace in the Kids’Zone.
“We’re having a blast,” Wallace said. “This is a great event especially for the kids.
“All we had to do was show up and have fun.”
Operated by members of the Young Theater Players, the Kids’Zone gave children a chance to make tie-dyed T-shirts, get their face painted, do a craft or play a lawn game.
The festival featured 17 food trucks and more than 70 vendors including JustOne, a social enterprise established by Krista Jefferson in 2012.
The enterprise seeks to end poverty in Kenya and Uganda through a partnership with artisans. JustOne sells earrings, bracelets and necklaces created by artisans in both countries.
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A resident of Caledonia, Ferguson said she likes to support local events as much as possible and the Simcoe Friendship Festival is a natural fit for JustOne.
The mission of JustOne is to end poverty through ethical fashion.
Ferguson said it’s also an opportunity to help people understand that the way we shop can change lives.
“Something as simple as purchasing a pair of earrings can make a world of difference to someone,” Ferguson said. “When I first met these artisans, I could see that they were incredibly talented.
“But the problem is that they didn’t have a way of selling what they created.
“They are so skilled and all they really needed was a platform and an audience.”
As a result of the partnership, the artisans have been able to build homes, purchase land and send their children to school.
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“That’s always the top priority,” Ferguson said. “They want their children to have an education.”
Meanwhile, after a wet start, the festival enjoyed sunny skies on Sunday and was looking for more of the same on Monday.
“We’ve had a terrific weekend so far,” Moody-Veldhuis said Monday morning. “We’ve had thousands of people visit and they seem to be having a good time and I know the vendors are really happy as well.”
Moody-Veldhuis said a highlight of the weekend for her was the performance by the North Shore Highlanders Pipes and Drum Band, from Port Dover.
“They’re a new band, they just started out in January and they’re amazing,” Moody-Veldhuis said. “Their uniforms are great and it was so nice to see them perform and do so well.
“We’re delighted with this year’s festival and so glad that we were able to provide a wonderful free family event for the community to enjoy.”
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