Tag: Events

Waterfront Festival Midway to move to Victoria Park

John Draper

In February, the Town announced that the East Pier would be closed to vehicles and events due to damage that needs to be assessed.  One of the consequences is that the Midway for the Waterfront Festival cannot be located there so it needed to find a new location.  After looking at several options, it was decided to put it in Victoria Park – at the South-East end near the pavilion.  Since the Midway “rides” are accompanied by loud “music”, there are potential problems with nearby residents as well as a clash with music in the Bandshell.  It has already been decided that the music will be turned off completely from 1:45 p.m. until 2:45 p.m. on July 1st to avoid… Read complete articleWaterfront Festival Midway to move to Victoria Park

Farmers’ Market in New Location

John Draper

Today was the first Saturday in May so the Farmers’ Market was open but in a new location.  Operating since 1839 – mostly from the parking lot behind Victoria Hall – it is now located around the concrete pad that serves as a base for the rink in winter and a fountain in summer.  I counted 28 booths, mostly with tents although the weather was kind: sunny and cool.  Vendor trucks were parked in the adjacent lot so there was parking available for customers behind Victoria Hall.  The day opened with Mary Ito of the Cobourg Legion Pipes and Drums providing a ceremonial “Piping in”; she led Mayor Gil Brocanier and Councillor Séguin around the central space.  Vince Ruttan provided… Read complete articleFarmers’ Market in New Location

Downtown Bicycle Race Details Approved

John Draper

In February, Greg Rawson asked Cobourg Town staff for permission to stage a Criterium Bicycle race in Downtown Cobourg.  Staff have now approved a route and date – no doubt subject to Council approval – that are different from the original.  The route now includes King and Albert instead of Chapel and King.  It also includes the heart of Downtown.  The date is now Saturday August 11.  See the map below – full details for participants are also available for download in the Links below.  Criterium races are on a short loop course (1km) so cornering skill is important and they promise to bring excitement to Downtown Cobourg.  Greg is also organizing a more conventional bicycle race starting in Baltimore… Read complete articleDowntown Bicycle Race Details Approved

Float your Fanny Down the Ganny – 2018

John Draper

This year’s event seemed to have a bigger crowd and more excitement than previous years.  There were 55 Canoes and Kayaks and 51 crazy craft and the emergency crews had many occasions to rescue participants from drowning – see video below.  The water seemed faster and although many crazy craft hit bottom (on the rapids), it was definitely a little deeper.  The event was originally scheduled a week earlier but was postponed due to the bad weather.  It seems that lots of people heard about the new date and were able to come a week later.  I don’t have numbers but there seemed to be more vendors around as well – one popular food truck was from MacDonalds; they  were… Read complete articleFloat your Fanny Down the Ganny – 2018

Cobourg’s Feel Good Night

John Draper

Otherwise known as Civic Awards night, everyone was in a good mood last night when the Civic Awards were handed out.  There were (by my count) 58 individual or team recipients.  The evening started with Town Crier Mandy Robinson who joked that she was glad the Town postponed the burying of the Time Capsule since otherwise (given the wind) with her voluminous gown, she risked being the world’s first flying Town Crier.  Then we had MP Kim Rudd making a short presentation followed by Poet Laureate Ted Amsden who read out a poem written specially for the occasion.  Before we started and at intervals during the awards, Paul Storms directed the Cobourg Concert band to provide musical entertainment.  Paul Allen… Read complete articleCobourg’s Feel Good Night

Reminder – Town Hall meeting on Local News

John Draper

Hopefully most people in Cobourg know by now that a group has been formed to see if there is anything that can be done to replace the gap left by the shutdown of Northumberland Today.  Currently led by Professor of e-journalism Rob Washburn, a Public Town Hall meeting has been organized for Tuesday March 20th at 7:00pm in Cobourg’s Victoria Hall.  Rob asked Cobourg Council for support in the cost of that and Council approved his request on February 20.  Since this initiative started, there has been some activity online (see links below) but no printed replacement newspaper.  But is there demand for a daily printed paper?  What do people really want?  What are they prepared to pay for?  Come… Read complete articleReminder – Town Hall meeting on Local News

Celebration of 10 years in Business

John Draper

Adam Bureau is the Chair of the DBIA but also the owner of one of Cobourg’s successful businesses – Buy and Sell.  Today he celebrated 10 years of operation complete with presentations, speeches, food and entertainment. But as well as operating his own business he is working in tandem with three other businesses who share his premises in a prime location on King Street.  The three startups don’t need and can’t afford to rent a full store so they are located in his store.  Video Games City, WD Cyber Solutions and Classic Coins and Bank Notes get cheaper rent, they can back each other up when they need to leave their position unattended and they generate traffic for each other. … Read complete articleCelebration of 10 years in Business

Armistice ’18 Program Announced

John Draper

The First World War ended in 1918 with an Armistice and Cobourg will be commemorating this with many events this Fall in the several weeks up to November 11.  Director of Recreation and Culture Dean Hustwick, said that Cobourg’s commemoration will be the largest in Canada!  At the Council meeting on February 26, historian, playwright and organizer Hugh Brewster gave some of the history of Canada’s and Cobourg’s involvement in the War and listed all the planned events.  Canadian General Arthur Currie, who played a major role in the success of the Canadian army, was accused by the Port Hope Evening Guide of pursuing a last minute effort to capture Mons for his own glory.  He sued them for libel… Read complete articleArmistice ’18 Program Announced