Heather Latter
A community barbecue held Saturday at Point Park to celebrate safety is being deemed a success.
“It surpassed our expectations—it was phenomenal,” enthused Tiffany Clifford-Smith, chair of the Rainy River District Substance Abuse Prevention Team, which organized the event.
The goal was to educate people on the safety resources within the community while also providing an opportunity for families to have fun in an environment free from substances.
“It went really, really well,” noted Clifford-Smith, adding since it was the first time holding an event like this, they didn’t know how many people to expect.
“But we are thinking we had about 500 people there,” she estimated.
The Fort Frances Kiwanis Club sponsored the barbecue and had prepared food for about 200 attendees.
“And we had double that, at least, so they graciously went and got more food for us,” Clifford-Smith said.
In addition to the free lunch, more than a dozen agencies were set up with information, activities, and games.
From crafts and cookie-decorating to face-painting and a doctors’ station, there was plenty for children to do.
There also were two bouncy castles, a magic show offered up by “Grandpa Magic,” and a demonstration by the OPP’s canine unit from Kenora.
“The feedback we received is that everyone had a great time,” Clifford-Smith remarked.
“And the weather co-operated so we were happy about that, as well.”
She feels the event did what it set out to do.
“I think beyond the barbecue, the bouncy castles, and ‘Grandpa Magic,’ I think people went around to the booths and got the information that was provided to them,” Clifford-Smith said.
“It was just something that people could come out and spend the afternoon not only learning, but having a really good time with their families.”
While the Substance Abuse Prevention Team has not met yet to go over the event, Clifford-Smith said it’s something they likely will do again.
“With such positive feedback, it is something we should probably do annually,” she reasoned, thanking everyone who attended the event and participated by having a booth.
“And a big thanks to the Kiwanis Club, Safe Communities Rainy River District, and all of their sponsors,” she added.
