Editorials
July 04, 2007 09:44 PM
Take a bow, Whitchurch-Stouffville,
Take a breather, Strawberry Festival committee.
The 23rd annual edition of our annual summer festival ended with the final blast of Canada Day fireworks Sunday. It was five days packed with almost something for everyone.
Main Street was jammed with fest-goers Saturday afternoon under ideal early summer weather.
The centre of Memorial Park was wall-to-wall with thousands of fireworks fans Sunday.
The festival tent was filled for Friday’s comedy show.
The festival has grown from the marriage of a Canada Day breakfast and craft show with a massive slo-pitch tournament in the early 1980s.
Sponsors have come on board. Almost all local service clubs and churches are involved.
The Love Stouffville campaign of service and good deeds was a welcome addition. Hats off to the Stouffville Ministerial Association and its crew of volunteers.
Residents arrange their summer vacations around the festival.
But, there’s always room for improvement:
• What about our youth? There were events geared to young children, seniors, young adults and families, but what about our teenagers? We talk a lot about our youth. We want to keep them involved and off the streets and out of trouble. How about an outdoor concert to complement the skateboard activities. Invite the local bands that play concerts in the GTA.
• What about our newest citizens? The festival is a golden opportunity to include the people who have bought the new homes that line the outside edges of Stouffville.
• Slo-pitch softball, the bread and butter of the old Buttermakers tournament at the festival, is not the draw it was. But residents enjoy high-end fastball in this town. The international women’s exhibition game and provincial elimination tournaments of recent years drew solid crowds.
Want to get involved? The festival is always seeking volunteers.
Look for the committee’s annual meeting this fall. It’s your chance to give input, and praise.