Stephen Vance, Staff
While thousands of people celebrated Canada’s 150th birthday during the big day-long, multi-event party held in the downtown core, and along Meaford’s waterfront, a smaller, old fashioned rural community party held in Bognor brought smiles to many faces as it captured the essence of Canadiana.
After all, what could be more Canadian than log sawing or a game of tug-of-war combined with a classic car show, live local music, and even some friendly jousting all held on the grounds of the community athletic fields? Not to mention cake and other tasty treats enjoyed as neighbours chatted and laughed before enjoying an impressive fireworks display.
Happy 150th birthday Canada indeed.
The birth of what we know today as the hamlet of Bognor took place roughly a quarter century before Canada became a nation when early settlers began to arrive in the 1840s, setting up farms, and laying the seeds for for what would officially become the community of Bognor in June of 1879 – Happy belated 138th birthday Bognor!
The cluster of buildings at the heart of Bognor include residential homes, a community centre, and a post office, and the lush rolling farmlands surrounding that core are the engine that always has, and still does drive the community. It’s small farming communities like Bognor, scattered across this country that feed our nation, and they do it well, and they do it with pride.
Overcast skies threatening rain throughout the afternoon didn’t dampen the spirits of those who attended the Bognor Canada Day celebration, and they were rewarded with a clearing of the clouds and some bright sunshine shortly after the event began at 6:30 pm.
When it’s time to party, don’t tell Bognor residents that bigger is better, because they’ll prove you wrong as you can see in these photos.
Be sure to pick up this coming Thursday’s print edition of The Meaford Independent for more great photos from the Bognor Canada 150 celebration!
