Caboosefest, Fun in the Sun

Jeff Green | Aug 10, 2022

The Sharbot Lake Caboosefest was back in full force this year, featuring a kids area, tours of Railway Heritage Park, the return of Town Crier Patty O'Conner and his railway sidekick Jonathan Wisteard, and a visit from newly minted Lanark Frontenac Kingston MPP John Jordan, and more.

Youth events and caboose tours kicked off the festivities, along with a kids show by Gary Giller, Jim MacPherson and Dave Limber (three members of the now disbanded Feral Five)

At high noon, in the sweltering heat no less, Paddy O'Conner, in full Town Crier costume, and Jonathan Wisteard in railway overalls and hat, greeted the crowd. O'Conner talked about the history of the K&P and its role in the local economy when it was established in 1870.

Railway Heritage Society President Derek Redmond took the opportunity to

introduce John Jordan and Mayor Frances Smith, and announce the award of a Resilient Communities grant of $21,000, which the Society will use to upgrade the grounds, paint the caboose and install a video display, and improve the viewing potential of the museums collection of railway artifacts.

France Smith said that after two years of COVID, “this community has shown it is indeed a resilient one, and it is great to be able to gather together like this in an outdoor space.”

MPP John Jordan said he was “happy to visit such a vibrant and beautiful community. I am from Smiths Falls, so the role of the railway in our past is something I am familiar with. The Trillium Foundation Grant is well deserved.”

Once the politicians finished their brief remarks, the shaded area in front of the small stage filled up, as did the beer area, which was supplied and staffed by Daniel and Laina Lees of the aptly named Kick and Push Brewery.

Dennis Larocque joined Giller, MacPherson and Limber to perform a set by the LGML Band of Renown (aka the Kick and Push-Nicks)

The set featured a number of train songs, in both the rock, blues, kicking things off with Fred Eaglesmith's Freight Train, followed by the City of New Orleans, Johnny Cash's Fulsom Prison Blues and more.

It was a good return for Caboosefest and money raised through admission fees and a silent auction will go towards improvements not covered by the Trillium grant.