October 2001 - Nr. 10
200 Years "Newmarket"
The
bicentennial was celebrated in Newmarket with a street festival on Main
Street, where else. The street was blocked off from Millard to Timothy since
9 a.m., and all that was allowed on the street were people. Right at the
entrance of the area – in the north – was Klaus Wagner, VP of the German
Canadian Club promoting the Oktoberfest to the locals. I thought that was a
great idea.
Klaus
Wehrenberg assisted him as "organ grinder", with an original
Bavarian „Leierkasten". Yes, he had a monkey too, but it was not
alive, but a puppet you could stick your hand in and make it look as if it
was. This greatly delighted some of the smaller children that admired the
organ and tried to figure out where the music came from. Some wise kid
thought he had it figured out when he mentioned to his friend that he
thought he knew that there was a cassette player hidden inside. But it sure
reminded me of my childhood and the "Leierkastenmann" and the
pennies we wrapped in paper and threw out of the window for him. But in
those days you could still buy something for pennies.
Later on Klaus also performed in front of the community centre where the Oktoberfest was held, much to the delight of the visitors.
The
west side of the street was populated with antique cars, that had been
lovingly restored, some dating from 1923, and a few tractors to remind the
visitors that Newmarket was basically a farming community.
In
keeping with old-time-tradition, a stage was set up, halfway down Main
Street where different performers played blue grass and country music for
the visitors, hosted by the Holland Landing Jamboree group.
Another
attraction was the square dance exhibition by about 24 square dancers, right
in the middle of the street. Some were dressed in Western garb others in
period costumes but all did a fantastic performance for the many visitors.
Some of the visitors had even brought their own folding chairs. I guess they
knew what was coming.
Most of the stores were open and some of the storekeepers had taken advantage of the celebrations and displayed some of their merchandise on the sidewalks.
The mood was festive, the weather sunny, but not too warm and now Newmarket is 200 years old. I don’t think I will make it for the 300th anniversary but maybe the 225th. I’ll try anyway.
As always
Dick Altermann
