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Community Night 2018, Saturday, July 14

COMMUNITY NIGHT is almost here!

Summer is finally here and the Township of Johnson is revving up for the 46^th annual Desbarats Community Night, which will kick off from the old Johnson Tarbutt Public School grounds on Saturday, July 14^th at 7PM with the annual Parade, this year featuring perennial favourites the Sault Ste. Marie Pipe Band as well as the Blue Saints Drum Corps from Sudbury. The Parade will end up at the Johnson Township Community Centre where the bands will give a concert by the Farmer’s Market Building. The theme for this year’s parade is “Cartoon Characters”. The Erling Lagerholm Memorial Prize for best Theme Floats will continue this year, with a Grand Prize of $150 and second prize will be $75. There are also $50 prize moneys to be won for other various themed floats, including Commercial, Adult and Youth Organization, Comical, Summer Resident, Private Decorated Car or Truck, Farm Float, Community Groups, Antique Vehicle and Tractor, and Horse and Rider, as well as $20 prizes for Best Decorated Bicycle, Tricycle, Wagon/Doll Carriage/Wheel Barrow/Cart and 3&4 Wheelers. Walkers are eligible for cash prizes for Best Costumes and all children participating in the Parade will receive a tooney and a goodie bag.

The Honorary Parade Marshall is once again the township’s Senior of the Year, this year awarded to Dianne Adamson, a longtime volunteer for Recreation programs and for the township in general, as well as a board member for the Bruce Mines Agricultural Fair.

As in previous years, and due to safety concerns, candy will not be thrown from the floats but may be handed out by float volunteers.

The Sausage Booth, the Women’s Institute’s Roast Beef Booth, and the Gordon Lake Social Club’s famous Pie Booth will open at the Community Centre Arena from 4:30PM to 6PM and again after the Parade. Music in the arena will be provided by Ezee Country, a group that features Henry, Ed, and Ron Schryer, uncles and cousins of the Julie and the Triplets. They will appear in the Arena from 4:30PM to 7PM and again after the Parade. KiddieLand and Games of Chance will also open after the Parade ends…new this year are games suitable for ages 7 to 10, a Dunking Booth (MPP Michael Mantha has volunteered to be dunked!), and a bouncy castle.

Local resident historians Sylvia Stobie and Lois Charron will be provide a Desbarats Remembers “Summer” display upstairs in the Hall. The display will include historical and family memorabilia, photos, and a slideshow, featuring settler families of the surrounding area, including Portlock and Gordon Lake.

In the spirit of environmental responsibility, the Johnson Township Recreation Committee would also like to let the public know that many of the cups, plates and utensils used at this year’s Community event will be made up of compostable corn-based or recyclable paper products. Large barrels will be available throughout the Arena to accept these materials and the Committee is asking the public for their help in disposing of their garbage in the proper receptacles.

Parades, games, music, food and non-stop fun, come out and celebrate your community! Click on the poster for Parade entries and more info! Click on Summer Memories poster for mire info about the Desbarats Remembers Exhibit.