CORNWALL, Ontario – The Canada 150 Committee breathed a collective sigh of relief as the rain held off for most of the celebrations at the Mayor’s Picnic, held at Lamoureux Park this Victoria Day Monday.
Drawing from the tradition of Mayor Horovitz’s annual Children’s Picnic of the 1940s and 1950s – the year, venue, and mayor may have changed, but much has stayed the same.
“We wanted to do a community picnic, and the Mayor’s Picnic has such a great history in Cornwall, and we wanted to continue the tradition,” said Lorne Taillon, who spearheaded planning for the event. “Our parents and our grandparents talk about the traditions, and it’s always something that’s on the committee’s mind.”
With all the signature freebies of Mayor Horovitz’s Picnic, no hand was without a hotdog, no face left unpainted. With activities ranging from air t-ball to kingdoms of bouncy castles, guests were free to catch a horse and wagon ride, or simply relax and enjoy the day’s entertainment.
“It’s great to see so many people out here this morning and this afternoon on somewhat of a dreary day,” said Mayor Leslie O’Shaughnessy. “But this is not a mayor’s picnic – it is a community picnic.”
MP Guy Lauzon was on hand to speak at the event, noting how lucky residents are to call Cornwall home.
“We’re so lucky to live in this wonderful community,” said Lauzon. “One of the best assets we have are the wonderful people of this city.
Despite the moody skies, Taillon says he was pleased to see so many locals out enjoying the event.
“We’ve had a lot of great partners, and if Mother Nature would have partnered a little better, we would have been happier, but you take what you can get,” said Taillon. “We’re hoping to have a few more events the community can be proud of for Canada 150.”
