ELORA – The Centre Wellington Black Committee has another party planned for the community.
CW Fun Day is a free event slated for Sept. 3 at Bissell Park.
“The focus is to have fun,” said CW Black Committee founder and chair Millicent Gordon. “And we’re going to have a lot of fun.”
The event runs from 10am to 6pm in the park and there will be a variety of activities, musicians, and food to keep the whole family happy, she said.
“The purpose of CW FunDay is to make people aware of the rich diverse culture and history of Wellington Country and the environs, and also, to bring our community members together,” states a press release.
To that end, there will be a vendors market featuring African products including jewelry, clothing and arts and crafts. Caribbean cuisine will be sold from food trucks.
There will be a back-to-school fashion show for children and teens, laser tag, limbo, a dance competition, face painting and a foam party.
Children and youth should bring bathing suits for the foam party. It is exactly how it sounds: a pool filled with foam to play in.
There will be sack races and egg and spoon races, just like the old days.
“It will be a last hurrah before school,” Gordon said.
The committee has found a number of musicians to entertain as well.
Performers include Reggae, Soca, Afro Beasts, Buggati Bonsu, D’Jango Pan Fyah, Ammore, Jay Harmony, Richie C, Dianne James, Gerima & Friends Drummers, Guyanese Fit Chick, Junior Gardener, DJ Delroy G, drumming and gospel performances by Carlos Morgan, and host DJ Cool from CKMS-FM 102.7FM.
Gordon said it’s important to the group that the event is free to attend.
“I hope people who are struggling with their budgets will come,” she said. “There’s not a lot you can do for free and this will be fun.”
That said, the event comes with costs and Gordon said she’s grateful to the new and returning sponsors who make it all possible.
Gordon said the committee formed in 2021 as a forum for Black residents of Centre Wellington who might have felt under-represented.
But it has grown to include all residents who want to break down cultural and racial barriers.
“Our objective is to highlight the rich Black history in the region,” she said, adding the Pierpoint project in Fergus was really the impetus for the group.
The group meets monthly at the Fergus library and membership is open to all.
“We’re growing and we need active members who want to serve the community,” Gordon said.
Anyone interested in sponsoring the event, having a booth in the vendors market, volunteering for the event or joining the committee, can email cwblackcommittee@gmail.com.
