GORE BAY—The annual Gore Bay Harbour Days celebrations take place July 26-28 and will no doubt provide a fun filled weekend for the whole family.
“Oh yes, big time we are looking forward to it,” stated Gore Bay Mayor Ron Lane. “This is our 11th annual Harbour Days weekend, and along with some popular repeat activities taking place, we have several new events, including the ‘Breeze Around the Bay Fun Run/Walk ’ being organized by Councillor Kelly Chaytor and the Gore Bay Spirit and Events Committee.”
“There will be something fun for everyone in the family to attend and take part in from Friday afternoon until Sunday,” stated Mayor Lane.
The Breeze Around the Bay Run/Walk will take place on Sunday, July 28 with registration from 8:30-9:30 am at the harbour centre. The 5K run will begin at 10 am, with the 1K race starting at 11:15 am.
“It’s a new event for this year’s Harbour Days weekend,” Councillor Chaytor told The Expositor. “So far we only have 16 people signed up, and we are hoping that once word of mouth gets around we will have a lot more people take part, and it might be that people might just show up on that date to take part.”
“All the money raised from the run/walk will be going to the Gore Bay Fire Department,” said Councillor Chaytor.
The 1K run will begin at the Harbour Centre to the water treatment plant and return, while the 5K run/walk will begin at the Noble Lookout trails and back and along the boardwalk and end at the breakwall.
On Friday, July 26, the Gore Bay vendors’ market will take place downtown from 9 am to 1 pm.
‘The Ben Show’ features a circus arts performer who will dazzle the audience with his skills and quick wit takes place from 3:30 to 4 pm. At 4:30 kids’ games will take place in the kid zone.
Friday evening will serve up live music with the Manitoulin Swing Band performing from 7 to 8:30 pm, followed by Jamie Mohamed from 9 pm to 1 am, with free admission. The Western Manitoulin Lions Club will be hosting a beer gardens from 7 pm to 1 am. There is free admission with a designated driver available.
The Gore Bay Theatre will be hitting the stage with the comedic drama ‘Painting Churches’ at 7:30 pm at the community hall.
Also Friday night, the movie ‘Wonka’ will take place by the splash pad at 9 pm.
To get everyone ready for a day truly filled with events, on Saturday morning from 8:30 to 10 am the Gore Bay Rotary Club will be putting on a pancake breakfast at the Ron McQuarrie Memorial gazebo. From 10 am to 2 pm, face painting by Chantel is free for all ages, followed by the Ben Show from 10 am to 1 pm, with the circus performer strolling around and entertaining children with his circus tricks.
From 10 am until 4 pm, Amaze N Fun for the kids will take place. There will be bouncies, a waterslide, giant maze race, foam party, axe throwing and more.
The Western Manitoulin Lions Club will be hosting a beef on a bun lunch from 11 am to 2 pm. And from 2 to 4 pm they will be serving hot dogs and beverages at the Harbour View Pavilion.
A classic auto show, sponsored by Jewell’s Collision Centre, will take place on Meredith Street from 12 to 4 pm.
The always popular cardboard boat regatta will take place south of the marina service dock at 1 pm. Lifejackets are mandatory to take part. There will be three categories for participants, youth 12 and under, family and an open category (any age), sponsored by Bousquet Realty. There will be prizes handed out in each category.
From 2 to 3 pm the river tube and inflatable dinghy races will take place.
The Gore Bay and Gordon/Barrie Island volunteer fire department will have a fire truck on hand from 1 to 3 pm. Children will have an opportunity to climb behind the wheel of the fire truck.
From 1 to 3 pm a swimming pool fishing will take place in the kids’ zone, sponsored by the Gore Bay Fish and Game Club.
The Gore Bay Rotary Club fish fry will take place from 5 to 7 pm at the Ron McQuarrie Memorial Gazebo.
During the day there will be lots of live music. From 12 to 12:30 pm Ellie Maxwell will take to the stage, followed by Bluetooth Music from 12:30 to 2:30 pm. From 2:30 to 3:00 pm the Ben Show will take place, and from 3:30 to 5 pm Chicks with Picks will take the stage, followed by Double Barrel from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.
The Lions Club will be hosting a beer gardens from 11:30 am to 1 am.
On Saturday evening from 9 pm to 1 am the Harbour Days Dance will be held, sponsored by the Western Manitoulin Lions Club. Live music will feature the band Sweet Steeler Duo from 9 to 10 pm, followed by Sugarboom from 10:15 pm to 1 pm. Admission is by cash donation, with a dd available.
On Sunday morning a non-denominational church service will take place at 11 am. Everyone is welcome. And from 11 am to 12 noon a family teddy bear picnic will take place near the splash pad. Bring your blanket and food basket.
And of course, the Breeze Around the Bay Gore Bay Fun Run gets underway Sunday too.
All events during the weekend will take place at the waterfront park/harbour view pavilion unless otherwise specified.
For more details and information about Harbour Days please see the ad on Page 15 or visit the town website at www.gorebay.ca/events/event.harbour-days/
