GORE BAY—The Town of Gore Bay will be hosting the 10th annual Gore Bay Harbour Days celebration this weekend, July 21-23, slated to be a fun-filled weekend for the whole family.
“From its inaugural year in 2012, the Gore Bay Harbour Days celebration on the fourth weekend of July every year has become one of the premier annual events on Manitoulin Island,” stated Gore Bay Mayor Ron Lane. “Founded on a partnership between the service clubs in Gore Bay and the Town of Gore Bay, this three-day event on Gore Bay’s waterfront offers lots of fun for the whole family of any age with most events, thanks to our many sponsors, being free of charge and the only cost to attendees being for food or drink.”
Mayor Lane explained, “This year will be our 10th anniversary (having missed two years as a result of the pandemic) and it will be our best and biggest yet. Starting with kids’ events on Friday afternoon and continuing all day Saturday until after the church service on Sunday morning, this weekend will be packed with fun, music, entertainment and excitement for everyone.”
“Not to miss, of course, one of our premier events will be the famous cardboard boat races with races for all ages and cash prizes,” continued Mayor Lane. “This year we will be introducing the ‘Titanic Award’ for the best sinking. Every year we have a theme and this year it is Mardi Gras, so dress yourself or your boat (if you have one at the marina) with your best beads, feathers and apparel and join in the fun as what will surely be the best Harbour Days celebration yet.”
Friday’s activities include the weekly vendors market on Meredith Street in the morning and early afternoon. Splash N Go, an inflatable splash park which is located at Fish Point Park will open late in the morning and run until supper time. During the afternoon Dan the Music Man, a fun, interactive performance for kids and kids at heart will perform, sponsored by Gore Bay Child Care Centre. There will also be children’s games being put on by the Gore Bay recreation committee.
The evening events will include the Gore Bay Theatre presenting the Norm Foster comedy ‘One-Actmanship’ in the community hall, while live music will be featured including the Manitoulin Swing Band, and Missy and Friends, and include a beer gardens put on by the Gore Bay-Western Manitoulin Lions Club at the pavilion.
Also Friday evening, a Light It Up Boat contest will be held at the marina, to a Mardi Gras theme.
Saturday’s line-up of events includes the Gore Bay Rotary Club pancake breakfast in the morning, along with Splash N Go during the afternoon. There is face painting by Chantal, Amaze N Fun inflatables, waterslide, rock climbing wall and Travel Axes (axe throwing). There is also Game on Express, a portable climate-controlled trailer featuring interactive experiences with Xbox, Wii and Switch. The Lions will be providing beef and pork on a bun for lunch.
There will also be pony rides and a petting zoo, with goats, sheep and llamas.
The Lions will be hosting a beer garden from 11:30 am to 1 am, with music provided all day and early evening. Entertainers include Ethan Hunt, Ellie Maxwell, open mic and Chicks with Picks.
A classic car show and shine is being put on by Jewell’s Collision Centre. And don’t forget to bring your bathing suit and towel for the foam party. Of course, the 10th annual cardboard boat regatta will also take place.
The Gore Bay and Gordon/Barrie Island Fire Department will have firefighters and their fire truck on hand for children to climb behind the wheel.
There is also a swimming pool fishing event being sponsored by the Gore Bay Fish and Game Club, river tube race/games after the cardboard regatta. A dunk tank will be held, along with the Gore Bay Rotary Club fish fry for at supper at the Ron McQuarrie Gazebo, a comedy show in the evening featuring Leslie Lynn and Naughty Nana DUZ.
The Harbour Days dance will be held to the theme of Mardi Gras, and music during the evening will be provided by the band Sweet Steeler Duo and later, Sugarboom. The Lions will host the beer gardens.
On Sunday morning an ecumenical church service will take place on the waterfront under the tent, with a potluck lunch to follow.
“If you are not at Harbour Days on July 21-23 you will be missing all the fun,” added Mayor Lane.
For more information about Harbour Days please contact the Gore Bay municipal office at 705-282-2420 or visit the town website at www.gorebay.ca.
