Dalkeith gearing up for 200th anniversary celebration weekend

The village is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year and is planning a big bash that is set to take place from Friday, July 22 to Sunday, July 24.

According to Tish Nicholson, recreation programs coordinator for the Township of North Glengarry, plans are in the works for a huge birthday bash.

"Everything is coming together very well at this point," Nicholson told The Review. "Momentum is building and everyone is really excited. We are really hoping to attract about 1,000 people to this event. If we attract more, well, then that's even better!"

Nicholson said the event will kick off on Friday, July 22 at 5:30 p.m. at the Dalkeith Recreation Hall with a corn roast, during which Chief Top Leaf will present the meaning of corn and water to First Nations people.

"On this evening, we will be celebrating the history and culture of First Nations and French cultures," Nicholson explained. "It's going to be a really interesting evening."

Later that same evening, the French choir from St-Eugène, featuring Réjean Lafrance, will perform French traditional songs the whole family can sing along with.

Nicholson said the big "party day" is on Saturday, July 23 when there will be a variety of activities the whole family can enjoy all day long. Opening ceremonies will begin at 12:15 p.m., with the Quigley Highlanders Pipes and Drum band marching the crowd from the Dalkeith Public Library to the outdoor rink, where the stage and vendors will be set up all day.

Dignitaries will perform an official ribbon cutting ceremony to get the festivities under way at 12:30 p.m. Nicholson said exhibits will be set up in the Dalkeith Public Library and at St. Paul's Church and will be open for viewing from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Exhibits in the library will include a room dedicated to all things military, featuring information and memorabilia from locals who served in past wars.

"The Glengarry Pioneer Museum has loaned us a variety of costumes from the 1800s that will also be on display," she added. "The costumes are just gorgeous and are a real treat."

There will also be a Dalkeith historical exhibit from 1811 to 2011, photo displays and artifacts showing early life in the village.

The classic amusement midway will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nicholson said the midway will feature "special prices" as it plans to donate money from the day to the Dalkeith Historical Society and its efforts to purchase St. Paul's Church.

Tractor rides will shuttle people from venue to venue between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Out-of-town wagon rides will include an hour-long tour of the area and places must be reserved in advance as seats are limited.

There will be a variety of entertainment taking place on the stage from 1 p.m. to midnight. Ian MacLeod Fiddlers, dancers and Celtic Variety Show will begin at 1 p.m. and will feature MacLeod and McMurray dancers, MacLeod junior and senior fiddlers and a performance by Hughie McDonell, who is home from the Maritimes and will be in Dalkeith to help celebrate its milestone anniversary.

An amateur talent hour has been scheduled for 4 p.m. Please call 613-363-5632 to reserve a spot. A barbeque chicken supper will take place at the recreation hall from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at Scotiabank in Alexandria.

At 7 p.m., The Bluesville Express Band, featuring Craig Millar on harmonica, will take the stage. "This show is going to be great," Nicholson said. "There will be a variety of blues, swing and jazz music."

Hadrian's Wall, a Celtic rock band, will perform from 9 p.m. to midnight.

In addition to all of this, Nicholson noted, there will be a variety of delicious food vendors, artisans and crafters on site all day.

She said local artist Michael Cartwright has donated a painting of St. Paul's Church, as well as many of his famous "blue noses" for sale at the event. Artist Maggie Dean has also donated a painting and will have a booth featuring her work on site.

A blacksmith shop and heritage Shropshire sheep will be located between the library and church. Quilts and other arts will also be on display in the church and there will be a weaving demonstration on site as well.

Though plans for the celebration are coming together well, Nicholson said there is still a need for volunteers. "We really need some more people to help out with the events on Saturday," she said. "Anyone interested can give me a call at 613-363-5632."

The weekend event will wrap up on Sunday, July 24 with a potluck picnic from 1 to 3 p.m. at Robertson Mills Park.

"It's going to be a great weekend and we're encouraging everyone to come out and celebrate," Nicholson commented. "It's going to be a weekend to remember."