Community Day helps Norfolk residents reconnect

Community Day helps Norfolk residents reconnect

Blue skies and pleasantly warm temperatures made a perfect setting Saturday for a broad range of activities branded as Community Day in Norfolk County.

“We have free swims, free skates, and live music,” said Brandon Sloan, Norfolk County’s general manager for community development, who came up with the idea for a Community Day. “A lot of volunteers have stepped up and community partners have come out to make it an amazing day.”

Sloan said officials wanted to provide an opportunity for residents to reconnect with the community.

“It’s an amazing turnout. We’re very happy today,” he said while surveying the crowd at the Touch-A-Truck event at the Waterford Tricenturena. “It’s even greater than originally envisioned.”

A fire truck, ambulance, road grader, and farm tractor were among vehicles and heavy equipment available for people to explore in the arena’s parking lot.

Brothers (left to right) Lucas, Mason and Simon Goncalves check out the cab of a backhoe on Saturday during the Touch-a-Truck event at the arena in Waterford.
Brothers (left to right) Lucas, Mason and Simon Goncalves check out the cab of a backhoe on Saturday during the Touch-a-Truck event at the arena in Waterford.

“It’s a very good experience for the kids to see what each truck and everything does,” said Tanya Goncalves as she watched her three sons climb into the cab of a backhoe.

The Simcoe resident praised Community Day organizers for putting together a day full of activities throughout the area.

“It gets people together again, and everybody’s excited to gather and explore.”

Cody Hoskins of Port Dover watched as Bdr. Luke Brennan of Simcoe, a member of the 56th Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery helped his sons Hudson, 7, and Etho, age 4 into the crew compartment of a MSVS gun tow. The large truck is used to tow a Howitzer artillery piece and its related equipment, with room for nine soldiers.

Etho Hoskins, age 4 (left) and his seven-year-old brother Hudson sit in the crew compartment of a 56th Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery truck as Bdr.  Luke Brennan watches on Saturday.
Etho Hoskins, age 4 (left) and his seven-year-old brother Hudson sit in the crew compartment of a 56th Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery truck as Bdr. Luke Brennan watches on Saturday. Photo by Brian Thompson /The Expositor

“I like to be part of the community, and see the community get together and do things like this for everyone,” Hoskins said.

The Delhi Mustang Roundup attracted so many Mustang cars to line Main and Church Street West in the town’s core, that some had to be turned away.

Scarlett Hillman, 8, of Ingersoll receives free strawberry ice cream from Faryn Burch, age 9 of Delhi during Norfolk Community Day on Saturday in Delhi, Ontario.
Scarlett Hillman, 8, of Ingersoll receives free strawberry ice cream from Faryn Burch, age 9 of Delhi during Norfolk Community Day on Saturday in Delhi, Ontario. Photo by Brian Thompson /The Expositor

“We came to see the Mustangs, and get the kids out of the house,” said Alanna Stephens of Ingersoll, as she watched her eight-year-old daughter Scarlett Hillman get some free strawberry ice cream courtesy of the Delhi BIA. “It’s so nice to be able to finally get back out and enjoy civilization again.”

Dan Walsh of Mount Pleasant brought his 2003 Roush Mustang to the show only because there wasn’t a cloud in the sky.

“It’s never been wet,” he said. “We’ve actually put it in an enclosed trailer to (bring to shows) in case we have to get it back inside before it gets wet.”

Walsh’s wife Pam Tegrotenhuis noted that the car is kept in an air conditioned and heated garage.

“It’s more spoiled than me, that’s for sure.”

Roush emblems are evident on the exterior of the car, that also features autographs of iconic automotive engineer and racing team owner Jack Roush on the dashboard and radiator shroud.

Dan Walsh of Mount Pleasant shows the signature of iconic automotive engineer Jack Roush on the radiator shroud of his 2003 Mustang Roush on Saturday June 18, 2022 during a Mustang car show in downtown Delhi.
Dan Walsh of Mount Pleasant shows the signature of iconic automotive engineer Jack Roush on the radiator shroud of his 2003 Mustang Roush on Saturday June 18, 2022 during a Mustang car show in downtown Delhi. Photo by Brian Thompson /The Expositor

“It’s neat when you go into a town and the kids start to wave at you,” Tegrotenhuis said.

Throughout the county, Community Day events included fire hall tours, craft and scavenger hunts at public libraries in Simcoe, Delhi, Waterford, Port Dover and Port Rowan; live music in St. Williams, Port Dover and Delhi; a fitness Zumba class at the Langton Community Centre, and illusionist Lucas Wilson teaching magic tricks in Vittoria.

Norfolk County mayor Kristal Chopp watches as Skyler Donaldson, age 4 (left) and her sister Scarlett, 7, check out the cab of a New Holland farm tractor on Saturday June 18, 2022 during the Touch-a-Truck event at the arena in Waterford.
Norfolk County mayor Kristal Chopp watches as Skyler Donaldson, age 4 (left) and her sister Scarlett, 7, check out the cab of a New Holland farm tractor on Saturday June 18, 2022 during the Touch-a-Truck event at the arena in Waterford. Photo by Brian Thompson /The Expositor

[email protected]

pso1