Delhi won the game Friday night but the evening wasn’t really about football.
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As more than 1,500 people gathered for the first Friday Night Lights event since the pandemic hit, the night at Delhi District High School had all the flavor of a fall festival with food, hands-on displays, special draws, and a chance to hang out with old friends.
“This means everything to the community,” said school principal Jim Merrick, waving his arms at the boisterous crowd pouring in to surround the football field.
“Look around: kids, grandparents, moms and dads who can’t make it to a 2 pm game. It’s a Friday night under the lights and it’s absolutely incredible.”
The game, between the Delhi Raiders and the Waterford Wolves, was a great excuse for a community party with food, fundraisers, recognition ceremonies, and prizes.
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Adults gossiped over coffee in the parking lots, families huddled together under blankets in the temporary stands, little kids played pretend football in the end zones and teens hung out in groups behind the bleachers.
At least 100 people who didn’t want to pay the $5 entrance fee lined the snow fence around the field to watch the game.
“Football is just one piece of the puzzle,” said Merrick, “because it’s just a great time to come together and celebrate a great night.”
The North Shore Highlanders and the color guard from the Delhi Legion added some pomp to the opening and halftime ceremonies.
There was a special presentation in recognition of the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Scheldt in Belgium, where several Delhi men lost their lives. Filip Vandenbroeke, deputy head of mission from the Belgium embassy in Ottawa, took part in the presentation.
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head coach Dave Leatherland was honored for his 25 years of working with the Raiders and members of the very first Raiders team to play under the lights in 2011 were recognized,
The Delhi District High School Parent Council sold snacks to raise funds for the school’s hot meal program, food vendors had long lines of people waiting for fries and ice cream and the army reserves were out doing recruiting.
“We’ve talked to lots of interested young people,” said Cpt. Tyler Delaney from the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry, who was manning a table filled with weapons.
Delhi District teacher Jody Snowden was busy trying to fill the “Best Seat in the House”, a lottery created by senior students who arranged for a large triple recliner to be set up at the 50-yard line for a special winner. When no one responded to the first ticket drawn, Snowden drew another, who landed Lee Binkley and his son Evan in the prime seats, which they shared with the representative from the Belgium embassy.
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Vandenbroeke said he had a great day touring the area where he met Mayor Amy Martin, MPP Bobbi Ann Brady and a few other Belgians.
“I’m always grateful for the sacrifice by Canadian soldiers to liberate my country 80 years ago,” Vandenbroeke said.
Friday’s celebration was just what the Castellano family was looking for.
Mike and Lesia Castellano and their son, Sebastian, are Norfolk newcomers, having recently moved to Turkey Point from Niagara. They came out to check out the Delhi community.
“We love Norfolk. We had a cottage here for a while and decided it was time to move,” said Mike.
“The people are great and it’s a really nice place to grow up.”
As for the actual football game, the hometown Raiders took it easily, thrilling the crowd with a last minute touchdown, ending with a final score of 40 over 15.
@EXPSGamble
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