Bellrock Community Fall Festival

Kelli McRobert | Oct 26, 2022

The Bellrock Community Hall continues to work towards getting more activities for the young families that are relocating to their area. This weekend they offered up a family-friendly event during their fundraising fall festival. Bellrock Hall is located at 6034 Leveque Road in Verona and is a quaint building steeped in history that has endured for over 150 years and was once the local *schoolhouse.

“The hall was originally a one-room schoolhouse built in 1870. Back in 1949 the school closed when Prince Charles Public School opened in Verona. To keep the Bellrock school open as a community center, 20 concerned members of the community held a meeting and formed the Bell Rock Community Hall Association. With 100% community support they collected donations and were able to purchase the school and its adjacent playing field, which houses a ball diamond, basketball nets, and a playground. By purchasing the building, the 20-member volunteer group took on the responsibility of funding, maintaining, and operating the hall and the adjoining field.” *Frontenac News July 9, 2009.

In 2019, the community garden was established and it continues to thrive and give back to the local Foodbanks any surplus harvested fresh produce.

As you entered, there was information about their Community Garden and photos of the community led project. You could also get information handouts to inspire a younger audience on how to get involved with gardening and perhaps find an interest in food and where it comes from.

Once you arrived in the main hall, there was a buzz of activity as Mellow Lily and Toute Ensemble entertained the crowd with an acoustic guitar. Face painting was a huge hit as the children lined up to select their favourite characters. Tables were full of young artists as they decorated cookies and learned new crafts, while adults milled about chatting and selecting items to purchase from the baked goods table. A beautiful display of hand made puppets were available to purchase, and admittedly, I stopped and played with one. They were lovely with bright colours and gorgeous animated features that brought out the ‘child’ in me. Other vendors included: Van Luven’s Maple Ridge, Coyote Hill Bee Farm, K’s Kottage, and local artist Benjamin Oakley, Duwitt with Wood, and  a crochet craft local artist.

Outdoors there were mini stations to play games and the Verona Rona Red Truck was on site for family photos with bales of hay and flowers to set the stage. This event was in support of the Bellrock Community Hall and it’s initiatives as they continue to expand their garden and recreation/park area for the enjoyment of residents. If you are interested in renting this venue steeped in history or helping to support their fundraising efforts you can contact them through their FB page.

Thanks to the organizing committee for their efforts to maintain and improve this location for others to enjoy. Well done!