By Hazel Smith, Bruce Peninsula Press
Scheduled for the third weekend in June (17-19), there is a general sigh of relief that an important and defining community event like the Chi-Cheemaun festival is returning to the annual calendar.
The first Chi-Cheemaun festival took place in 1975 and, whether consciously intended or not, it helped the community recover from a period of stressful change that occurred to make way for the arrival of the new car ferry.
The early ‘70s were marked by government land expropriation of long-time home owners who lived on the land where the ferry dock now stands, including Orrie Vail and Walter and Marion Hopkins, and businesses like McAfee’s Restaurant and the Ferry Dock Restaurant.
The festival also helped the community to turn a corner in terms of the general sadness around bidding farewell to the much loved and long-serving Norisle and Norgoma.
Gradually the “new” ferry, the Chi-Cheemaun, has worked its way into our hearts and its eponymous festival is now a time honoured event that the whole community looks forward to. Components of the festival are ever-evolving and it’s a sweet balance of tradition and innovation, rather like Tobermory itself.
The hugely popular “greased pole walk” for a $50 prize enticed many in 1975, back when $50 was a lot of dosh! Today we’d probably need to add a zero to get many takers. Alas, it’s a moot point as the event had to be scrapped due to an unfortunate injury (or three).
Right up there in popularity and happily with us still is the cardboard boat race. Designs have evolved in sophistication and flare, and teams have moved between light and swift rowers and big and strong. In recent years, the deciding factor may have rested on the amount of duct tape involved. The festival committee is appealing to all businesses and not-for-profit groups to enter. Truly the more the merrier. Their advice? Plan ahead. Be colourful. Be brave. What’s in it for you? Why, glory, of course. Win or lose. Also, great stories all round.
The multi-day slo-pitch tournament is expected to once again be a feature of the festival. Nothing marks summer better than baseball. Music to all ears is the whack of bat on ball and the slap of ball to glove. This combined with the general chatter and sideline coaching from the stands, batter, batter, batter!
It’s unclear what the exact format of the tournament will be as the initial search for qualified umpires had not yielded any results. Committee member Smokey Golden asks any community members with possible leads on finding an umpire or two, to please contact her by email at councillorgolden@northernbruce.ca
Planning is ongoing and a full announcement of the line up of events, including the fireworks and pancake breakfast will be published here in the April 12th edition. Details on how to get involved as a volunteer and to register for events will also be available.
The 2022 festival volunteer committee consists of Laurie (Smokey) Golden, Tom McAfee Jr, Dan Forbes, Vivian Wyonch and Don Johnson. Deputy Mayor Debbie Myles is the Council appointed member. All deserve a handshake and a back slap when you meet them at the post office or grocery store. Or, if you bump into them in the TBC, a complimentary pint might be the very thing!
