Review of Town Managed Events in 2020

At Council’s Committee of the Whole meeting belatedly held on Wednesday, Marketing and Events Manager Kara Euale reviewed the Town’s 2020 events both past and future.  Since the pandemic struck in April, events have been virtual but still involved outdoor activity.  Kara’s usual primary goal seems to be to attract Tourists but most participation this year was by locals.  The two major events of a normal year, Canada Day celebrations and the Sandcastle Festival, were a special focus with the cost of Canada Day fully paid for by a Federal Grant.  One of the more successful events was a Photography competition which is intended to be seasonal – four times a year.  All events involved local businesses in some way… Read complete articleReview of Town Managed Events in 2020

Remembrance Event in Victoria Park

Today is VJ Day when Japan surrendered 75 years ago.  That was also the day that 1475 Canadians were liberated from a Prisoner of War camp in Hong Kong.   They had defended Hong Kong from attack by the Japanese army but suffered heavy losses before surrendering.  The defending Canadians were from two regiments, the Royal Rifles of Canada and the Winnipeg Grenadiers.  Many of the Royal Rifles were from Cobourg and Port Hope and today they were remembered in a ceremony at the Cenotaph in Victoria Park.  Members of the veterans’ families were there to lay wreaths.  The event was not promoted so that the crowd would be less than 100 – which it was.  But paying their respects were… Read complete articleRemembrance Event in Victoria Park

Town Hosts Virtual Sandcastle Competition

The annual and very popular sandcastle competition on Cobourg’s Beach is not happening this year but instead the DBIA and the Town have created a virtual competition.  They have placed 18 signs around Town – not just downtown – and to participate, you have to go look at the signs.  Each sign has clues as to the location/name of one of the many Sandcastle Festivals in other parts of Canada and the World – see the sample below at the Sifton-Cook Museum.  You then go online (details below), enter the names you’ve found and send it in.  If you got all 18 right, you get entered in a draw for a $50 gift certificate – there will be 10 winners… Read complete articleTown Hosts Virtual Sandcastle Competition

Cobourg Community Comes Together Online

Local Media Producer Graham Beer organized an online event on Saturday night that he called “Cobourg Together at Home – Community Special”.  The “show” was a mix of entertainment, tributes and information featuring an all-local cast.  It was professionally produced (by Graham) and broadcast on Facebook. It was co-hosted by Graham and Councillor Nicole Beatty.  The video has since been posted on You-Tube and is embedded below.  The focus was on good news and of course a significant coverage of what is happening locally to cope with the Covid-19 virus crisis.  The video finished with two performances:  1) a song by Caroline Brooks, Kerri Ough and Sue Passmore – the Good Lovelies and 2) a fun group sing-along of Hey Jude… Read complete articleCobourg Community Comes Together Online

Cobourg Police Honour Slain RCMP Officer

Last Sunday, 22 died during a murderous rampage by a gunman in Nova Scotia; one of them was RCMP Constable Heidi Stevenson.  And today, which is the National Day of Mourning for those who have lost their lives as a result of work-related incidents, Cobourg Police Chief Paul VandeGraaf asked their Pipes and Drums band to help them honour their fellow officer. The band was smaller than usual with 11 members – 6 pipers and 5 drummers – but did their usual great job.  They marched down King Street to the Police Station where a large number of Police gathered – a good representation.  Included in the group of about 30 were senior officers and the Police Board – including… Read complete articleCobourg Police Honour Slain RCMP Officer

Rogers Hometown Hockey Draws Big Crowd

After a snow sprinkle on Saturday morning, the weather was perfect for a mid winter’s day in Cobourg for the Roger’s Hometown Hockey event.  It was held in the Marina parking lot – re-christened the Cobourg West Harbour for the occasion.  Unless you were a hockey fan, it was not clear what exactly the event was – just that it would appeal to Hockey fans, it was free and would be a family event.  It also had a couple of food vendors (a Pizza Truck and a Sobey’s tent with hot dogs) but I’d guess this would not be enough for many so hopefully downtown restaurants were busy.  During most of the time, the area appeared moderately busy with a… Read complete articleRogers Hometown Hockey Draws Big Crowd

New Year’s Levee – 2020

Once again, Cobourg’s Mayor and Councillors welcomed citizens to a “Levee” to welcome the New Year.  Held today in the Concert Hall at Victoria hall, it was well attended with well over 100 citizens. It featured catering by the Dutch Oven and included the ever popular Christmas Cake provided by Weston Bakery.  Toni Galea greeted everyone at the door where we all signed in.  The band was smaller than previously (8 musicians) and there were more tables so everyone was able to be seated.  All councillors were there and shook hands with everyone – missing was Brian Darling who had a “massive cold”.  The crowd included MP Philip Lawrence, MPP David Piccini, Police Chief Paul Vandegraaf, Police Board Chair Dean… Read complete articleNew Year’s Levee – 2020

Rogers Hometown Hockey comes to Cobourg

If you are a hockey fan, you probably already know that Rogers Hometown Hockey will be coming to Cobourg on January 4 and 5.  According to announcements from the Town, it will stage outdoor entertainment and Hockey events at the Marina Parking Lot on Third Street next to the Marina/Yacht club buildings – they’ve called this space “the West Harbour” but they don’t mean in the water. The event is one of 25 events across Canada and finishes on the 5th with “a live outdoor viewing party of an NHL broadcast from the Sportsnet Mobile Studio” – for Cobourg, this will be a game between the Calgary Flames and Minnesota Wild. I understand that the Mobile Studio is a tractor-trailer sized… Read complete articleRogers Hometown Hockey comes to Cobourg

Christmas Lights Return to Victoria Park

Not only are Christmas lights now in Victoria Park but they are also magnificent in Rotary park. In his speech to the large crowd in front of the bandshell, Mayor John Henderson said “we listened – you said you wanted lights in Victoria Park so that’s what we did”.  The details were decided by a citizen’s committee set up for the purpose last January after Bruce Moore made a presentation to Council on the subject (see links below). And once again, Cobourg showed it knows how to party and somehow, everyone in Cobourg showed up – well not really but it seemed that way – I’d guess there were close to a thousand people in Victoria Park, including lots of… Read complete articleChristmas Lights Return to Victoria Park

Santa Parade – 2019

There was a good crowd watching Cobourg’s 64th Santa parade on Sunday – lots of families and little ones.  Organization seemed to be good despite the Lions withdrawing financial support.  They continue to help, notably with Santa’s float and providing volunteers, but in a letter to Council dated October 17, the Lions Club said they are unable “to provide financial support to the 2019 Santa Claus Parade nor to any Santa Claus parade in the foreseeable future”.  The weather this year was cold (around freezing) but sunny.  The Parade lasted about 40 minutes and featured five bands (see list and video below), a good number of floats with lots of kids, a number of sports teams and dance troupes plus… Read complete articleSanta Parade – 2019