GORE BAY—With a ton of events for everyone to take part in, great participation and beautiful weather the town of Gore Bay was certainly ‘the’ place to be this weekend for its Harbour Days celebrations.
The weekend’s events got started last Friday with the farmers’ market on the waterfront, the Hydro One Electricity Discovery Centre, parasailing, jetovator and flyboard, the very successful Heart and Stroke Big Bike Ride, a basketball skills and drills clinic sponsored by the Manitoulin Basketball Association and a Gore Bay Theatre production Friday night, along with a beer gardens (at the tent on the waterfront) with all proceeds raised going to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 514. Live music featured ‘The Uppers.’
Saturday was chock full of events, beginning with the very successful Gore Bay Rotary Club pancake breakfast.
With more runners-walkers taking part, 36 more than last year, and beautiful sunny skies this past Saturday, the second annual Gore Bay Firefighters 5 and 8K Around the Bay Run was a huge success.
“I would like to thank all our participants and sponsors for taking part in, and supporting our second annual five and eight k run-walk,” stated Skip Bloxham, a member of the Gore Bay Volunteer Fire Department, who organize the run. He also acknowledged volunteer firefighters who helped put on the run. He also praised the support that sponsors of the run had provided.
Five kilometrrs runner-walkers started in front of the Harbour Centre building in Gore Bay to the lighthouse and back. This year for the eight kilometre run, “Greg Bond had a wonderful set up,” stated Mr. Bloxham. He pointed out the eight kilometre runners started at Gordon’s Lodge, down the town’s boardwalk, run to the end of the breakwater and continue on to the lighthouse and finish at the harbour centre. Two firefighters, Mr. Bloxam and Kyleen Robertson, took part in the event.
In the five kilometre run, Owen Smith took first place in a time of 23.07 in the men’s category, with Liam Cunningham second at 24.28. Brad Wright was third with a time of 24.31.
The five kilometre female division saw Lucia Salmaso first in 23.18, Kathy Frazer second in a time of 31.56 and Kathy Christensen third in a time of 33.01.
Steve Fessenden took top spot in the men’s eight kilometre run in a time of 37.55, Matt DePentney was second in 38.49 and Greg Bond was third in a time of 44.08.
On the female eight kilometre run, Akasha Piche took first place in 37.50, with Sonia Melin second at 38.42, while Denise Brady was third in a time of 41.02.
At the Hydro One Electricity Discovery Centre Dave Watts explained, “our discovery centre travels all over Ontario for community events. We have things on hand like the kids’ electrical safety corner and a safety game quiz they can take.” The centre also included information on energy efficiency and much more.
During the day there was face painting by Chantal, “Step Into Stories” where a professional storyteller performed a well-loved tale for children. There was also dinghy races at the swim beach and breakwall, a family hiphop workshop by the Travelling Stage, along with Air Bounce Adventures at the waterfront with for kids to enjoy.
A barbecue was put on by the Gore Bay Recreation Committee, free kites were provided by Central Guardian Pharmacy to the first 50 kids. Live music was provided by the Dave Southwood band, children could visit the Gore Bay and Gordon/Barrie Island fire department and get behind the wheel of the fire truck.
The Gore Bay Fish and Game Club held its always popular swimming pool fishing event with fish provided by Meeker’s. Thirty fish were caught by children of all ages.
A classic car show brought out many old time cars for display and the always popular fifth annual cardboard boat regatta was held at the waterfront beach. The crowd on hand was huge.
The regatta included three categories with prizes given out in each. In the 12 years and under race Aaron, Logan and Addison Frazier in ‘Blazer’ took first place followed by Aiden and Connor McCarthy in ‘Bro Boat’s, second and Mason Leighton and Kowan Orford third in their boat ‘De. Boiz.’
The family division saw Nevin and Joseph Merrylees in the ‘Boat Mobile’ taking first place, with the team of Grant Lanktree and Grayson Orford second and Mason and Darryl Leighton third. In the open division, winning the first place prize from Canadian Yacht Charters was the team of Nevin and Joseph Merrylees in the Boat Mobile, with Ben Dewar and Trevor White second and Grant Lanktree and Mike Roland third.
River tube race/games were held after this, while a family line dancing workshop by the Travelling Show was put on in the community hall.
afternoon long, trying to catch the big one. The event was put on by the Gore Bay and District Fish and Game Club.
A Redneck Horseshoe tournament was hosted and put on by the Carry On Hope HPV Awareness Campaign volunteers, with proceeds raised going toward their fundraising campaign.
At supper time there were long line-ups for Gore Bay Rotary Club annual fish fry, followed by a dance at the waterfront, sponsored by the Legion.
On Sunday an ecumenical church service was held on the waterfront.
