Three year old Kohen Gray of Belleville mugs for the camera at West Zwick’s Park Canada Day.(Photo: John Spitters / Quintenews).
It’s Canada’s 150th birthday and Belleville’s 200th but at today’s (Saturday) Canada Day
opening ceremonies at Zwick’s Park, the mayor shone the spotlight on a Belleville family
celebrating a very special 25th anniversary.
Belleville Mayor Taso Christopher got almost the entire Barratt family up on stage and thanked them for their steadfast commitment spearheading the city’s Canada Day celebrations for the past 25 years. Dwane and Carol Barratt and their 3 kids have been with the Canada Day event since day one.
The mayor said no community could function without the hard work and dedications of volunteers like the Barratts.
For his part, Dwane Barratt joked that it truly must be a significant year because Tim Hortons was even running a special “Roll up the Rim” contest. “And I still can’t win!!!”
Mayor Taso Christopher (far right) congratulates the Barratt family for 25 years of service to the city Canada Day celebrations. The Barratt family, starting at the right, Dwane, Carol, Ashley, Caitlin, and Ashley’s boyfriend Jordan Shortt. Missing from from the photo, Trevor Barratt.(Photo: John Spitters / Quintenews).
Prince Edward Hastings MPP Todd Smith also spoke at the ceremony, saying that while everything wasn’t perfect, Canada was still the best place in the world to live.
One of 2 huge cakes comprised of cupcakes at Belleville’s Canada Day celebrations Saturday.(Photo: John Spitters / Quintenews).
Speaking on behalf of 8 Wing Trenton, Lieutenant-Colonel Todd Murphy stressed the importance of the military in Canada’s 150 year history. Over 2 million Canadians have donned the uniform and gone overseas to defend our way of life over the years.
He also thanked all of the communities making up the wider Quinte region for their continuing support for the personnel at 8 Wing and their missions.
Canada Day celebrations continue all day and into the night, wrapping up with a big fireworks display at dusk.
Superheroes “The Avengers” wow kids and adults alike at West Zwick’s Park Canada Day.(Photo: John Spitters / Quintenews).
