This year the Special Events Committee was challenged with running Special Events without a Community Centre as a base camp. We rose to the challenge and were pleased to host five events for the community.
The first event was in May. We held a FAREWELL TO THE FIREHALL event. We had an open party with live music, food, a memory diary and an art project. People were invited to participate in our community art project where we asked participants to add their handprints to a large canvas. This canvas will be displayed in our new community centre. Also on display will be the memory book which holds the Firehall memories of members of the community. We also had a large showing of original plans for the Firehall, historic references and photos of the various programs and events that had been held over the years. It was a wonderful way to pay respect to a building that has offered so much over the years and to remember our pasts while we prepare for our future.
The second event was a joint venture with the Business Association in September OOSBA held a variety of special events, including live music, street sales, demonstrations, face painting, etc. on Bank Street to coincide with the OSCA PORCH SALE. The Special Events Committee was pleased to participate by holding a BBQ and corn roast for the community. We hope this becomes an annual event. The OSCA Porch Sale is already such a great community event and this addition by OOSBA certainly complimented it in a lovely way. It is also a great way to make the event bigger and to encourage people from outside the neighbourhood to participate in the sale…just more ways to bring people in to Old Ottawa South to buy our junk….oops “treasures”.
Our third event was a return of the FALL FEST in October. Windsor Park was once again the site of a fabulous community fall celebration. Horse Drawn wagon rides, BBQ, games, raffles, pumpkin and bulb sales, local vendors and the return of the ever-popular Goat Bingo, brought out a record number of participants. This is an event that is well loved and most definitely a must have in our list of future events.
Our fourth event was a first time event for the Special Events Committee. In brainstorming for an event to take over the Song Cider and Sleigh Rides event, which could not be held due to lack of space, we came up with an idea for a Christmas movie event. The first annual OSCA CHRISTMAS MOVIES AT THE MAYFAIR was a huge success for OSCA. We held two movies for the community. In the afternoon a family favourite, Elf, and in the evening a classic, White Christmas. OOSBA was kind enough to join us in offering horse drawn wagon rides in between the two movies. This event was a gamble and we were lucky to have it so well received by the community. It is an event the Special Events Committee hopes to repeat, perhaps with some additions to make it an all day event for the season.
Our fifth event was the beloved WINTER CARNIVAL in February. Windsor Park was once again the home of this event, which featured wagon rides, live music, games, BBQ, raffles, local vendors and the annual best chili contests and Turkey Toss. This event is a classic…and you just don’t mess with the classics.
We are very excited to start making plans for the new year. There are many ideas in the air, and we will soon be making some of them concrete. We hope to add to the classic events with some new events such as dances in our new community centre, a summer event, and of course a GRAND REOPENING CELEBRATION. So keep your eye on the OSCAR for notice of future events.
As always, the Special Events Committee is very very welcoming of new members, volunteers, or ideas for future events. If you have any questions, ideas or interest in this committee please contact Deirdre McQuillan at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Brenda Lee care of This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .