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Gore Bay gears up for 13th annual Harbour Days

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GORE BAY—The Town of Gore Bay is hosting its 13^th annual Gore Bay Harbour Days celebrations July 24-26 that will provide for a family-friendly free weekend of fun for all ages!

“We are looking forward to the weekend and are inviting everyone to take part in the many activities during the weekend,” stated Kelly Chaytor, community services manager of Gore Bay. She noted there will be lots of live music, games, activities, food and more for everyone to take part in. 

The weekend events will get started on Friday with the Gore Bay Street market in the morning, and kids’ games by Harbour View Pavilion at 6 pm. The Western Manitoulin Lions Club will be putting on beer gardens from 7 pm-1 am, while the Gore Bay Theatre production of ‘Waiting for the Parade’ will take place at the community hall (tickets $20 advance and $25 at the door). At 9:30 pm ‘The Little Rascals’ free outdoor movie will take place at the splash pad. Concession available.

Live music will take place at the pavilion with ‘At Dawn,’ an all women band providing music from 7-9 pm and ‘Dual Play’ taking the stage from 9 pm-1 am. 

There will be a whole host of live musicians on tap Saturday, starting with Cole Hughson at 1:30 pm, followed by Chicks with Picks and the ever-popular Manitoulin Swing Band during the afternoon and early evening. From 7-9 pm, ‘Music Mel’ (Melanie Gaudreault) will provide music, followed by Sweet Steeler Duo from 9-10 pm, and Sugarboom from 10:15 pm-1 am.

Don’t forget to start your Saturday with a pancake breakfast courtesy of the Gore Bay Rotary Club in the morning. 

“Among the events on Saturday will be a vendors’ market (9 am-3 pm). We have 19 vendors, the most we have had yet for our Harbour Days market,” said Ms. Chaytor, who pointed out the market will be held in the area between the large events tent and the Red Roof pavilion.” 

“Our classic auto show will be held on Meredith Street,” said Ms. Chaytor. “This event has been growing every year in the number of participants.”

Throughout the day Saturday ‘Amaze N Fun’ in the kids zone will be on hand with bouncies, foam party, rock wall, face painting and more.

For lunch, the Western Manitoulin Lions Club will be putting on their famous beef on a bun. The club will also be hosting a beer garden from 11:30 am-1 am (free admission and designated driver available). From 2-3 pm the Lions will be serving hot dogs with beverages for sale, and beginning at 5 pm, the Lions will be serving peameal bacon on a bun, hot dogs and French fries. 

The afternoon will also see an ice cream eating contest (sponsored by the Mayor, councillors and Lakeside Ice Cream).

The (12^th) annual cardboard boat regatta “is always a huge hit at Harbour Days,” said Ms. Chaytor. Following the races (taking place south of the marina service dock), which start at 1 pm, tube and dinghy races will take place, with “members of the 348 Manitoulin Royal Canadian Sea Cadets on hand to help out,” she said.

The Gore Bay Fire Department members will also have a fire truck on hand in the afternoon for kids to sit in and turn on the siren. As well, during the afternoon, the Gore Bay Fish and Game Club will be holding its fishpond for the kids, beginning at 11 am.

Northern Exotics will have all types of animals, snakes and other critters on hand.

“We already have a lot of people signed up to take part in the second annual Breeze Around the Bay event on Sunday morning (beginning at 8:30 am),” said Ms. Chaytor. This event will take place at the Harbour Centre. 

Also taking place on Sunday is a non-denominal church service at 11 am, a five-kilometre fun run starting at Harold Noble Memorial Park followed by a one-kilometre fun run beginning at 11:15 am. 

In the afternoon the Gore Bay Theatre production of ‘Outside Mullingar’ will hit the stage at the community hall at 2 pm.