Julie Druker | Feb 17, 2016


Despite record low temperatures, this year’s four-day Frontenac Heritage Festival was well attended, with crowds turning out for the plethora of events that took place through the long weekend.

Friday’s opening ceremony began with greetings from Town Crier Paddy O'Connor and Central Frontenac Mayor Frances Smith, and a performance by the Young Choristers under the direction of Shari Tallon.

The evening continued with this year’s hee-haw-themed variety show upstairs in GREC's auditorium with emcee and show organizer Rob Moore at the helm. The show attracted a full house with its stellar line up of talented musicians, and the clever running jokes and antics of the mostly young variety show players kept the evening flowing. Highlights included musical performances by Jim and Pete MacPherson; Dan and Kate of Sympathy Ghost; new to the stage singer/songwriter Jen Argyle; veteran performers Rob and Nancy of the Auburn Mystery; and the Creative Players ensemble.

Jessica Wedden's closing act was unbeatable, with the young fiddler proving that she continues to master her instrument with astonishing and impressive skill.

Arden was another active hub, with outdoor demonstrations and a myriad of displays set up in the community hall on Saturday. Pat Furlong Brownlee and her daughter Robin braved the overnight lows of -28 degrees Celsius (with a wind chill of -39 degrees Celsius) and camped out overnight, dressed in countless layers and sharing a huge sleeping bag under numerous layers of blankets and duvets. The two bedded down in the early settlers campsite that was set up on site and were well taken care of by early settler enthusiasts Ray Fletcher, Peter Kelly and Mike Procter.

Robin, who was celebrating her 18th birthday, wanted a special way to mark the event and said, “This was more my mom's idea and though I prefer summer camping, this is one activity that I can now cross off my bucket list.”

Inside the Kennebec hall, Wilf Deline, president of the Frontenac and Addington Trappers Council, showed off both new and old traps of yesteryear and a wide variety of fur-bearer pelts. His wife Debbie offered up a display focused on items produced by the Hudson Bay Company.

The Kennebec Historical Society also had a huge display of heritage items, including clothing, tools, photos and other artifacts. Joanne Pickett and Aileen Merriam served up seven delicious hot and hearty home made soups for their Empty Bowls event in support of the North Frontenac Food Bank, and by the end of the day over $1300 was raised for the cause. Janet Gutowski and Town Crier Paddy O'Connor, along with judges Doug and Debbie Lovegrove of the Historical Costume Club of Kingston, were decked in their heritage finest as they made the rounds on Friday to six local businesses who competed in the first ever business competition. For the competition, business owners were invited to get into the heritage spirit, and had an opportunity to show off a number of interesting artifacts.

Many also showed up for the historical walking tour of Sharbot Lake. However, due to the extreme cold the event morphed into an informal talk at the Maples restaurant.

Many weekend meals offered up by local restaurants and organizations were also well attended, as were the Legion dances and open mic events, which attracted musicians from far and wide across the county.

Though the always popular Polar Bear Plunge was wisely postponed due to the cold, all of the other evens ran as planned.

The Heritage Craft Show, which was held for the first time this year at the Sharbot Lake United Church, hosted 10 vendors, and also included demonstrations of willow basket weaving, quilting and crocheting by local artisans.

Congratulations to all the organizers, who put together another successful event. They wish to thank all the brave souls, who despite the bitter cold made this year’s festival an overwhelming success.


2016 Heritage Festival Run/Walk

by Joan Hollywood

This year 26 people and 3 dogs took part in the Family Day event, raising $210 for the outdoor rink fund. Taking advantage of the milder Monday weather, everyone completed their routes in anticipation of the yummy cookie medals waiting for them at the finish. The St. Lawrence College Employment Centre 10K winners were: 1st Jessica Devries, 2nd Tracy Holloway and 3rd Anne-Marie McAuslan; and 1st Zach Devries, 2nd Karl Kent, and 3rd Bob Harding. The Central Frontenac Heritage Committee 5K winners were: 1st Jean Holloway, 2nd Evelyn Harding, and 3rd Sandy Robinson; and 1st Rudy Hollywood, 2nd Denis Morel and 3rd Kyle Kinkley Dale. The Central Frontenac Oso Rec Committee 2K winners were: 1st Teagan Cox, 2nd Laura Bridge, and 3rd Caray Ford; and 1st Darrell Bridge, 2nd Doug Steele, and 3rd Peter McCauslan. TriRudy.Com presented two special awards: one to Brian Robinson for his volunteer work and one to Allison Bridge for her keen enthusiasm.

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