Dave Ogilvie
The weather was just about perfect for the Emo’s 42nd-annual “Spring Fever Days” festivities on April 15-17.
The three-day event involved local businesses and organizations from Emo and the surrounding area.
On Thursday, the official opening of the annual event focused on the kick-off of the Nestor Falls Marine boat show at the Emo Arena.
Other presenters in the arena consisted of Meck outdoor wood stoves, Vigor-CleanTech solar systems, Channy’s Photography, Earth Works Pottery, and Freedom 55 Financial.
Royal Canadian Legion Br. #99 members who were selling tickets in the arena also had a table set up on Front Street.
People gathered around Ted Corrigan and the other volunteers to check out the top prize of two four-wheelers and the nine other great prizes.
Ticket sales, brisk throughout the three-day event, will continue until the draw on Saturday, May 29 during the Emo Walleye Classic.
Anyone wishing to purchase a ticket can do so at many of the businesses around town.
Meanwhile, Tompkins Hardware’s boat, solar, and water conditioning in-store show got off to a great start Friday and continued to be one of the busiest locations during “Spring Fever Days.”
Borderland Esso and Degagne Equipment also attracted many visitors, who checked out their lawn and garden products.
On Friday, the sun and pleasant temperatures brought even more visitors to Emo. Several new activities began on Friday, including the Pioneer Museum’s “Giant Flee Market” on the grounds of the W.I. museum, the book sale at the Emo Public Library, Knox United Church’s “Penny Table,” and the minor hockey association’s barbecue at the arena.
The Emo & District Hospital Auxiliary, in the process of raising money for new digital X-ray equipment for the Emo Health Centre, held a “tag day” and a raffle on Front Street on Friday and Saturday.
Organizers were pleased with the support and donations they received from those who stopped by their table.
The “Crafts Galore” sale at the Emo Legion also attracted many visitors on both Friday and Saturday.
Those who stopped by
purchased local crafts, placed tickets on the favourite penny table items, and visited with friends and relatives.
Saturday, the main day of the festivities, began with the traditional pancake breakfast at the Christian Reformed Church.
Several of the tables already were full shortly after organizers opened the doors at 7:30 a.m.
Traffic was busy all morning as the Dorcas Society, members of the Coffee Break group, and male volunteers from the church and community served up a delicious meal of pancakes, sausages, and fruit.
Meanwhile, the 5K run/walk organized by Rejuvenate Fitness began in front of the gym at 9 a.m.
About 40 serious runners and walkers of all ages paid $10 to take part in this annual event, with money raised to go to support the fundraising efforts of the hospital auxiliary.
The top five runners were Avery Adrian (who also won last year’s race), Peter Penner, Jeff Tilbury, Jenny Hammond, and Ed Hammond.
The great weather also brought out a large group of vintage and antique car enthusiasts. Many of the visitors to Emo stopped by Norlund’s to admire the vehicles and talk to the owners of these amazing cars and trucks.
At noon, the antique vehicles paraded down Front Street and back to the hospital before dispersing.
Lunch on Saturday was available at several locations around town. The Emo rec council, for one, served up hotdogs and smokies on Front Street while minor hockey was selling food at the arena.
There also was a barbecue at Degagne Equipment at the west end of town.
Another busy location on Saturday was the Hair and Body Care Shoppe, where “Cuts for Cancer” continues to be a popular event during Spring Fever Days.
Although only two people actually had their heads shaved, the amount of money raised was impressive.
Laurel Armstrong, whose daughters previously took part in this event, was the first to sit in the chair. She managed to raise about $1,000.
The other volunteer was Amber Gibson, who not only raised $200 but also donated her long hair to one of the “wig-making” organizations.
Money collected from haircuts that morning also will be added to the total for “Cuts for Cancer.”
Saturday also was the wind-up to Knox United Church’s “Penny Table.”
The fantastic “theme baskets” quickly became the talk to the town, with a steady stream of visitors dropping tickets into the containers of the favourite ones.
The quality of each basket was indicative of the time and thought that church and community members put into creating these amazing prizes.
Organizers were extremely pleased with the efforts of those who contributed to the baskets, as well as the generous support of those who purchased tickets.
The only disappointment of this year’s Spring Fever Days was the lack of participation in the “Poker Walkabout.”
This year’s organizer, Gaydonna Baker, who took over from Tompkins Hardware, is not sure why more people didn’t take part.
Anyone with suggestions on how to improve this event for next year can contact her at Rejuvenate Fitness.
Finally, at 4 p.m. on Saturday, the winners of the Emo gift certificates were drawn at Tompkins Hardware.
Melanie McCready of Dryden won the $500 up for grabs while James O’Sullivan and Don Kress each won $250.
Everyone involved in this year’s festivities were extremely pleased with the great weather and the large number of people who stopped by Emo to find a cure for their “spring fever.”
“It was probably the best crowd we’ve had in several years,” noted Don Foster of Nestor Falls Marine.
“It’s always great when the weather co-operates,” echoed Tom Mosbeck of Tompkins Hardware.
