(Updated 11:30 a.m., June 5)
Rain fails to take ‘fun’ out of Blackburn Fun Fair
By Fred Sherwin
Orléans Online

A group of kids escape the rain by hitching a ride in the back of an ambulance during the Blackburn Fun Fair parade on Saturday. Fred Sherwin/Photo

You have to hand it to the folks in Blackburn Hamlet, despite the soggy weather on Saturday they came out in droves to participate and watch the annual Fun Fair parade and then stuck around to play games, scoot through an inflatable maze and enjoy a wide variety of local entertainment on the community stage.

It was a far cry from last year when a lot of people escaped to their air conditioned homes after the parade rather than deal with the 32 degree heat and humidity.

This year’s honourary parade marshal was nine-year-old Dennis Gudbranson who is fully recovered after undergoing a bone marrow transplant he underwent last August. Dennis was joined by his mother Donna Leith-Gudbranson and his younger sister Chantal who decorated her bike just for the occasion.

This year’s parade theme was “Local Heroes” with many of the young participants dressing up as firemen and policemen.

Local city councillor Rainer Bloess noted that Dennis was a perfect choice as honourary parade marshal.

“Through his ordeal with leukemia he’s been a great example of courage and perseverance to many of us. To its credit, the entire community rallied behind him and his family which is a big part of what we’re celebrating today – community spirit and the fact that Blackburn Hamlet is the greatest community there is,” said Bloess.

Despite the rain, Ottawa-Orléans MP Royal Galipeau sat atop a vintage convertible driven by Blackburn Community Association president Al Ross, while Innes Bloess did the same atop a brand new Mustang convertible supplied by Jim Keay Ford, only without the aid of an umbrella.

For the record, Ottawa-Orléans MPP Phil McNeely was supposed to have a convertible but it didn’t show up.

As in past years, the Fun Fair was run in partnership with a variety of community groups who received a share of the proceeds based on the number of volunteer hours they contributed.

Some of the groups included the Scouts and Girl Guides, the Optimistes Club, the Children’s Welcome Centre and the Glen Ogilvie Public School Council. A number of area high school students also helped out to earn extra community service hours and the Norman Johnston Alternative School also played a major role in ensuring this year’s event was a success.

Fun Fair organizing committee chair Sonia Brereton was justifiably proud in how everything came together this year, even with the rain.

“I’m relieved and I’m thrilled at the same time, but we couldn’t have done without all the help we’ve received from volunteers. We also received a lot of support from Phil McNeely’s office and Rainer’s staff and Royal Galipeau’s office was fantastic as well. This was definitely a real team effort,” said Brereton.

The day kicked off with a the annual Fun Fair pancake breakfast which was well attended this year. All proceeds from the breakfast as well as the silent and live auction that was held in the afternoon will be used to spruce up the Blackburn Community Hall.

Not surprisingly the exhibits and displays inside the arena were a big draw considering the weather. Children could either try their hand at a variety of crafts or listen to a story read by staff from the Blackburn Library.

The 36th edition of Blackburn Fun Fair wrapped up with a youth dance followed by an adult dance featuring live music in the Blackburn Arena.

(This story was made possible thanks to the generous support of our local business partners.)

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