The village is gearing up for a Canada Day weekend celebration that will highlight its heritage, culture, patriotism, arts and Sports.
The weekend celebration will also include the inaugural “Get In Touch For Hutch” race, honouring Steven Hutchison, who took his life on Feb. 10.
The race has been organized by family and friends to help educate the public on, and raise money for, mental health issues.
“Through the experience of our loss, we have learned that mental health issues are more common and present in our communities than we ever realized,” race organizers state on the getintouchforhutch.com website.
“Our goal, in honouring Steven’s memory is that we want to raise awareness about mental health issues so people don’t feel stigmatized. We also believe that staying physically fit, will help keep us mentally fit as well.”
The event will take place on June 29 at the Arthur and area Community Centre and participants are urged to show up early for the 10am race, which also includes post-race events. Registration is $20 for the one kilometre walk and $44 for the five kilometre walk or run.
Also on the long weekend, the Arthur and District Chamber of Commerce is hosting the fourth annual “Art in the Street” featuring artists from the area. The event will include a sidewalk chalk competition, live musical performances, guest artists, a historical walk, vendors, horse and wagon rides, a book reading by author John Peaker, and an antique tractor display.
Wellington North has teamed up with the chamber of commerce in a celebration of Arthur being “Canada’s Most Patriotic Village.”
“[We are] putting a call out to all businesses and residents in Arthur to decorate their store and home fronts in a patriotic theme for the weekend of June 28, 29, 30 and July 1,” a media release from the township’s economic development committee stated.
“This is an opportunity for the community to come together and showcase their patriotism and further garner the title of being ‘Canada’s Most Patriotic Village’.”
The top two businesses and residences will be crowned in each category and receive prizes. The prize for the top business is a $1,500 advertising package with the runner-up receiving a $500 package. The most patriotic resident will receive a $500 gift prize with the runner-up getting a $250 gift prize.
All interested businesses and property owners are asked to register with the township prior to June 27, with judging taking place on June 28.
Judges include Mayor Ray Tout, Fergus-Elora tourism director Deb Dalziel and Wellington North artist and business owner Cliff Smith.
The Arthur Optimist Club is hosting a series of events for the weekend, starting with mens and mixed three pitch ball action at the ball diamonds adjacent to the arena. The club will also host a pavilion dance with a DJ starting at 9pm on the Friday.
On Saturday the action continues with a horseshoe tournament set to start at 1pm. The Opti-Mrs. Club will host a free swim at the pool in the afternoon. On Saturday evening another dance will be held.
On Sunday there will be a full day of events, including kids’ activities starting at 2pm, with a petting zoo, musical entertainment, free swim and the Wellington North Fire Service smoke house.
There will also be a family and business three-pitch tournament.
An open air family movie night will be held on the “B” diamond Sunday evening, featuring Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted projected on a 25-foot screen. Admission is free with donations accepted. Moviegoers are urged to bring their own chairs and blankets, depending on the weather. The movie is set to start at 9:15pm.
