TEHKUMMAH—For half a century the MS Chi-Cheemaun ferry has plied the waters between South Baymouth on the southern shores of Manitoulin Island and the community of Tobermory at the northern tip of the Bruce Peninsula. This summer, a committee of residents are setting up plans for events celebrating the 50th anniversary of the ferry that has provided a vital three-season link to the Island.
“We have a tentative title, ‘Manitoulin Celebrates Chi-Cheemaun’s 50th’,’” said Gary Brown, a former Owen Sound Transportation Company board member and once a long-time reeve of Tehkummah. “The date for the celebration is set for August 10 and events will take place all day.”
The events are being planned under the auspices of the South Baymouth Community Development Group made up of committed community volunteers.
“Most of the planned events will take place on OSTC property,” said Mr. Brown, but he noted that some, such as a parade celebrating the venerable vessel, will travel down the streets of South Baymouth but most events are anticipated to take place in the vicinity of the downtown area of the town.
The residents of Tehkummah, and especially the community of South Baymouth, have every intention of outdoing their friendly rivals in Tobermory. To that end, the committee is inviting all the communities on Manitoulin Island to take part in making the celebrations a success.
“All of the First Nations and towns are invited to participate and we will be sending invitations to our MP and MPP,” said Mr. Brown. “The ferry benefits every community on Manitoulin.” To that end, he said, the committee is actively seeking volunteers.
Mr. Brown cautions that the list of planned events is a definite work in progress, but noted that, so far, response has been positive.
“The Ministry of Transportation will be making a presentation and the OSTC has a display booth that they will be setting up,” he said. “The display booth will feature some of the historical videos of ‘How We Got Here’ that have been shown onboard the ferry.”
The committee is seeking visits from tall ships, hoping for an antique car show and is encouraging the OSTC to offer half-price return trip tickets on that day.
Richard Thomas, who has written a book on the 50th anniversary of the Chi-Cheemaun, will be on hand.
Among the locally inspired events are a farmers’ market, barbecue and bake sale and the aforementioned parade that will feature the local fire department and Island businesses. A street dance will have everyone, well, literally dancing in the streets.
Parking is planned to be largely accommodated along the streets of the community especially near the ferry terminal.
“But don’t hold us to any of this just yet,” cautioned Mr. Brown. He notes that the celebration events are still very much a work in progress and nothing has been written in stone just yet.
The Expositor will be reaching out to the committee over the course of the next few weeks to provide updates on the planned events—so stay tuned.
