WELLINGTON NORTH - The township’s economic development office and Arthur BIA are planning ahead of time for Arthur’s 150th anniversary celebration event, and are asking council to declare the celebration in 2022 as municipally significant and a recognized community festival.
At Monday’s first council meeting of 2022, Dale Small, township’s economic development officer, will be presenting the Arthur 150th anniversary celebrations report, requesting for council to declare the celebration in 2022 as municipally significant.
“This is similar to the request council approved in support of the 2017 Mount Forest homecoming reunion, and is helpful when it comes to insurance coverage, waiving of fees, promotion & marketing and it may also enable us to tap into other possible provincial funding,” explained Small in an email.
“This is the first formal report to council, however, council is well aware and supportive of the planning that is underway and the intent to declare the period from June 30th to July 4th municipally significant and a recognized community festival.”
Small indicated in his report that last fall, the cultural round table, Arthur Chamber of Commerce, and the Arthur Business Improvement Association reached out to all the local service groups, churches, and community organizations to get their thoughts, support, and participation into the planning of the 150th celebration.
Based on their discussions and the responses that were received, the economic development office and Arthur BIA intend to hold the celebrations during the period of June 30 to Jul. 4.
Both have planned upwards to $5,000 each to support the 150th anniversary celebrations and a proposed $2,500 grant for various participating groups.
“From a revenue perspective for many of the groups that are planning activities this will become a great opportunity for them to fundraise. Fundraising for a lot of groups has been severely impacted with COVID-19, so this will be a great opportunity for them to raise some funds,” said Small.
“From an expense perspective both the Arthur BIA and WN Cultural Roundtable have approved $5,000 in their respective budgets to support marketing and promotion, and more. More importantly, however, this event will have a positive social impact on our community’s spirit and community pride.”
The Arthur BIA, Arthur Chamber and Wellington North Cultural Roundtable are currently in the process of establishing the planning committee. They have contacted all the local service groups and community organizations and plan to have a virtual meeting later this month to finalize the committee.
Although the event is set in June, the Arthur BIA and partners have already started planning or considered event activities:
- The Optimist Club’s annual Canada Day weekend festivities including Practically Hip and Johnny Panic on the evening of July 1.
- The Chamber, BIA and township will host a sidewalk Saturday shop local program and council approval has already been received to close George Street on Saturday, July 2.
- Arthur Lions Club hopes to be able to celebrate the grand opening of the Brent Barnes Memorial Skatepark.
- Arthur United Church has expressed their support and have indicated they will contact the other churches in the area and come up with some appropriate celebration plans.
- Arthur Horticultural Society and the Arthur Historical Society have also expressed their support and willingness to be involved and an Arthur area barn quilt trail project is also starting to take shape with plans to contribute to the celebrations.
“Many groups have indicated they are supportive and are getting involved to organize activities and events. To be successful, we also need the community to come together and be part of the celebration and we have no doubt that they will do well,” he said.
