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Kingsville Highland Games organizers ‘quite happy’ with event turnout

Kingsville Highland Games organizers 'quite happy' with event turnout


Thousands of people flocked to Lakeside Park in Kingsville Saturday for the return of the Highland Games. 


“After COVID everybody is looking to get out and get their yayas out and this gives an opportune event to get outside and mix it up with everybody. It’s good to see the crowd,” said attendee Jeff Coulter.


Fans of the games lined up to watch various events spread out through Lakeside Park.


“It’s so vital that people get out,” said Essex MP Chris Lewis. “Mental health is such a major issue that so many of us are facing so events like this get people outside, get people outdoors and get to enjoy a conversation again.”


Doug Plumb, chair of the event said not being able to build on the momentum created after the inaugural event three years ago was disheartening but is happy the tough side of the pandemic seems to be in the rear view mirror.


“A lot of people are in town, really wanted to get out and have some fun and they’re here,” he said.


Those people were uptown sparking the local economy before making their way to the waterfront park.


“It really does celebrate the strength we have together collectively and celebrating the success for businesses that have worked hard and tirelessly to make it through,” said Mayor Nelson Santos.  


Organizers were anticipating well over 5,000 people for the one-day event.


“(In) 2019 people loved it. A lot of people said I regret that we couldn’t make it for whatever reason and they’re here today. There was a lot of buzz around town about this,” said Plumb.  


There was a buzz in the park throughout the day.


The tug of war had the large crowd electrified many times. Sherry Coulter loved it.


“The tug of war was worth the price of admission,” she said.


Mitchel Colomba was one of the tug of war athletes who fed off the energy from the crowd.


“This is a real great opportunity for us to come out and practice and the comradery amongst the crowd. This is really awesome,” he said.


There was food, entertainment, dance competitions, heritage and culture to appreciate. “


The thought of it being like history is quite important,” said 94-year-old Hugh McDonald.  


Former CTV anchor Jim Crichton served as MC on the main stage. He celebrated his heritage by wearing a tartan made in Scotland.


“I wear this in honour of my late father,” said Crichton, whose dad was born in Scotland. “I had it made a year after he passed away so it’s very special to me.”


This was a special event for Santos who is not seeking re-election in October. He took part in a Haggis throwing competition against local mayors for the last time.


Although he didn’t repeat as champ, he is proud to have been part of an event he feels is set up for long-term success.


“The experience you get to have here hands-on is like no other and that is what is going to drive success forward,” Santos said. 

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VIDEO: Father’s Day event at Canadian Museum of Flight in Langley attracts double the average turnout – Langley Advance Times

Drummers performed at the Lower Fraser Valley Aboriginal Society celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Day in Aldergrove’s Philip Jackman Park on Saturday, June 18. It was the first in-person version of the event since 2019. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)
About 140 people, double the usual Sunday numbers, visited the Canadian Museum of Flight at the Langley Airport Father’s Day event on Sunday, June 19, when dads get in free. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)About 140 people, double the usual Sunday numbers, visited the Canadian Museum of Flight at the Langley Airport Father’s Day event on Sunday, June 19, when dads get in free. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)
A young visitor tries giving a propeller a spin at the Canadian Museum of Flight at the Langley Airport Father’s Day event on Sunday, June 19. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)A young visitor tries giving a propeller a spin at the Canadian Museum of Flight at the Langley Airport Father’s Day event on Sunday, June 19. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)
Canadian Museum of Flight president Bruce Friesen estimated about 140 people, double the usual Sunday numbers, visited the museum at the Langley Airport on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 19, when dads got in free. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)Canadian Museum of Flight president Bruce Friesen estimated about 140 people, double the usual Sunday numbers, visited the museum at the Langley Airport on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 19, when dads got in free. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)

Living near the Langley airport, young Dhairya Agrawal has developed a powerful interest in aviation.

Mom Shubhangi says when her 19-month-old son hears an airplane passing overhead, he gets excited, which is only a problem when it’s nap time.

“He loves planes,” Shubangi said.

Dhairya Agrawal was delighted with the new kid sized plane at the Canadian Museum of Flight on Father’s Day. Mom Shubhangi said her 19-month-old son is a huge fan of airplanes. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)

Dhairya Agrawal was delighted with the new kid sized plane at the Canadian Museum of Flight on Father’s Day. Mom Shubhangi said her 19-month-old son is a huge fan of airplanes. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)

On Sunday, June 19, Dhairya was in his element as the Canadian Museum of Flight at the Langley airport hosted its annual Father’s Day event, where dads get in free.

The beaming boy posed for a picture in one of the museum’s newest additions, a small green kid-sizes plane in the outdoor display area.

ALSO: Canadian Museum of Flight volunteer was there from the beginning

Canadian Museum of Flight president Bruce Friesen said there were 140 visitors during the five-hour event, “about double our typical Sunday.”

Elements of another in-progress museum attraction were on display as well.

“Canadian women in aviation” will feature photos and biographies of dozens of women, ranging from Roberta Bondar to Langley airport manager Carol Madill.

“People can come and enjoy stories of the women, past and present, who contributed to aviation in B.C. and Canada,” said Friesen.

READ ALSO: Langley flight museum pays tribute to Queen’s platinum jubilee

Canadian Museum of Flight is located at the airport in Hangar #3, at 5333 216th St.

It houses over 25 aircraft ranging from a WWII Handley Page Hampden to a T-33 Silver Star.

Flight-worthy aircraft include a Fleet Finch, Tiger Moth, SE5A replica, Waco AQC Cabin, Fleet Canuck and Harvard II.

Adult admission is $10 (seniors and youth pay $7), $25 for families.

Call 604-532-0035 to arrange a pre-booked time slot.


Have a story tip? Email: dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com

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‘Great turnout’ for Point Edward club’s event

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A local service club’s event was supposed to go ahead rain or shine.

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When Point Edward Ex-Servicemen’s Association officials looked at the forecast, however, they decided to move the party indoors just to be safe.

“Good thing we did,” said Gary Capp, the association’s vice-president.

A significant storm ripped through Southwestern Ontario on May 21, uprooting trees and downing hydro wires throughout the region. Despite the destructive weather, the club’s three-hour celebration, which featured a local country band and a fundraising meal, went ahead at 2 p.m. as planned, just inside their Michigan Avenue headquarters instead of outside.

Capp estimated that 50 to 75 people came out through the first 90 minutes of the event.

“This is a great turnout for us,” he said. “Some people just come in, buy the sandwiches and go, and other people are staying and sitting down, listening to the music.”

Kountry Krusin band members, and brother-in-laws Thane Hughes and Jim Stevens performed for the appreciative crowd.

“Just starting out, having some fun with it,” Stevens said with a smile.

It was a free event, as the club covered the cost of the band, but members sold roast beef sandwiches for $5 each to help raise funds for their regular donations to St. Joseph’s Hospice and local minor sports and youth organizations in Sarnia and Point Edward.

“When we have the money, we’re giving donations all over Sarnia and Lambton,” Capp said.

He also pointed out the club is open to all members of the community, so the public is welcome to attend any of their events.

“It’s not a private club by any nature, and all of our events are open to anybody,” he said.

The association, alongside Point Edward officials, marked the centennial of the dedication of the village’s cenotaph with a service on April 19 in Veterans’ Memorial Park on St. Clair Street.