Toby Barrett, M.P.P.

As the sticky summer gives way to the comfortable temperatures of an Ontario autumn, our calendar begins to reflect the festivities of the harvest season as well as the sacrifices of our heroes overseas.

2005 has been recognized as “The Year of the Veteran”, and takes on special meaning because it marks the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

We had our first opportunities to honour our vets locally at the South Brant Legion Annual Memorial Parade, and the Royal Canadian Air Force training school 60th in Dunnville. Coming up, the October 8th Warrior’s Day Parade that highlights the Norfolk Fair every year will see participants salute Lieutenant Governor Romeo A Dallaire as they march by the grandstand. Numerous Remembrance parades and ceremonies marking the year of the veteran locally include:

November 5th dinners at the Simcoe and Port Dover Legions.
November 6th church services in Port Dover, and elsewhere – there will be a church parade in Cayuga and a Selkirk Parade at noon featuring area scouts. As well advance ceremonies will be held in Port Rowan, Teeterville, Burford, Jarvis, and of course the international ceremony at Ohsweken.
November 11th ceremonies include: Simcoe, Waterford, Delhi, Port Dover , Cayuga, Hagersville, Teeterville, Dunnville, Burford, Jarvis, Port Rowan, and Caledonia with a final dinner at their Legion

With the month half-over there have already been a number of events to celebrate the harvest season highlighted by Bayfest, Harvestfest, the Donnybrook Fair and the Norfolk Plowing match. And speaking of Plowing Matches, with the recent International Plowing Match drawing to a close in Listowel, I look forward to area Plowing events including the Oneida Plowing Match October 3rd, the Brant/Six Nations Match October 15th, and the Haldimand Match October 20th.

In the coming weeks the Fall Fair festivities get into full swing. This weekend alone will see locals and visitors heading out for the festivities at the Caledonia Fair, the Houghton Fair (September 30th) - the Langton Fair gets underway today. The following week, the granddaddy of Fall Fairs opens its gates between October 4th and the 10th for the Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show – Burford Fair gets rolling at the end of the week.

The recently past Jarvis Cornfest is always a good way to look forward to the autumn season. Coming up, there’s the Waterford Pumpkinfest October 21st, and November 12th will see Port Rown-ites and visitors take in the “Festival by the Bay”.

Before you know it, we will be preparing for the Christmas season. Things kick off locally with the Tillsonburg parade November 19th – Port Dover will host Christmasfest and Parade the same day. The following week, the first in a series of Haldimand Lightup nights occurs in Caledonia November 24th – followed by “Lightups” in Selkirk November 25th, and Cayuga and Dunnville December 2nd. November 26th marks the start of the world-class festive light show known as the Simcoe Panarama. Santa Claus parades continue in many area communities, including parades in Cayuga, Caledonia and Dunnville December 3rd.

I look forward to getting out in our communities this Fall to join in the annual celebrations of the seasons - and I encourage residents to join me in taking the local opportunities to participate in recognition of our service men and women in this, the year of the veteran.