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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2017-06-08, Page 1INSIDE THIS WEEK: SPORTS - Pg. 8 Local student wins big at provincial track meet IPM '17 - Pg. 10 Huron IPM 4-H Club is the future of farming DOCTORS - Pg. 20 North Huron welcomed medical students to area Publications Mail Agreement No. 40050141 Return Undeliverable Items to North Huron Publishing Company Inc., P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, ON NOG 1H0 Citizen Volume 33 No. 23 $1 .25 GST included Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County Thursday, June 8, 2017 A cash -rich event The Brussels Lions Club held its annual Elimination Draw on Saturday night at the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre and for yet another year it was a sold - out event. The night was punctuated with Shenanigans, a Celtic -rock band that made its return to the draw, however, the main attraction was the $5,000 grand prize draw, which was won by Brussels' Jason Crawford at the end of the night after all the tickets had been drawn. (Quinn Talbot photo) `Transfigured Town' may come to Blyth By Denny Scott The Citizen The Transfigured Town, a celebration of fictional wizardry, has set its sights on Blyth as a host for the wildly successful event. What started in 2016 as an event in Goderich with approximately 1,300 attendees has ballooned thanks to a viral social media presence. The event sold nearly 9,000 tickets this year. The event, which draws from inspirations such as the J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, is a purpose -run event, according to organizer Nathan Swartz. He explained that he and his wife Amanda have experience in not-for- profit work and were looking to create an event that was sustainable not only economically and environmentally, but in its purpose as well. Swartz explained he and Amanda had run events for the Salvation Army, the Huron Business Development Corporation and other ventures as well and wanted to bring that experience to this event. The two said they want to host a zero - waste, socially -focused event to create a business in Huron County that would provide future employees with "no less than a living wage". They also wanted to provide economic spin-off for the county beyond the ticket price for the event. Through a report presented through the Ministry of Tourism, the event is expected to bring $1.2 million in spending to Huron County and the surrounding area through transportation, accommodation, food and beverages, recreation and entertainment and retail opportunities. The report outlines that, of the expected 9,400 visitors associated with the event, 7,400 will be from Ontario, 1,700 will be from Canada, 250 will be from the U.S. and 50 will be from overseas. Swartz explained that restaurants will likely see the greatest spin-off from the event and other stores that carry wizard -themed items or services could also benefit. "In Goderich, we had 1,300 people and businesses reported mid- summer -like sales," he said. "Three businesses had top -three sales day and one had the best sale day on record. Only one of those three was a restaurant." While no details were given on why the Transfigured Town was moving to Blyth, Swartz said that the Blyth campground is the perfect venue for the event. "The Festival of Wizardry is set for Oct. 15 and 16," he said, adding he hopes it can be at the Blyth Camgpround. "We're looking at a similar footprint to the [annual reunion of the Huron Pioneer Thresher and Hobby Association]." Swartz said he has had a positive experience working with North Huron's staff so far, and that staff's experience with the Thresher Reunion will make North Huron an ideal partner in bringing the event to life. Swartz said he has also reached out to Blyth Cowbell Brewing Company and is working on a relationship with the brewery/restaurant. The event will feature an identical schedule on both days, giving people the opportunity to come for either Saturday or Sunday, or both, if they missed any events on the grounds. Confirmed events and locations for the festival include three bands that Swartz says are "well-known in the wizardry world" — The Lovegoods, Tonks and the Aurors and Draco and the Malfoys, fiction - writing workshops, wizard classes, vendors, children's activities and Continued on page 17 EW 150th schedule finalized By Denny Scott The Citizen The schedule for the East Wawanosh 150th Anniversary has been finalized and committee members are working towards putting the final touches on the event. Registration for the anniversary begins at 4 p.m. at the Belgrave Community Centre on Friday, June 30 and runs until 7 p.m. when the opening ceremonies will be held. At the same time, the beard growing contest and arts and photography contest results will be announced and the beverage garden will open. At 7:30 p.m., a baseball tournament will begin, which will continue throughout the weekend. Committee representative Margaret Vincent explained that the tournament has filled up and should provide exciting entertainment throughout the reunion. Friday night will be the first of three dances for the three-day event. Friday features The Containment Unit, a band featuring Brussels native Joshua Gropp. The dance is an age -of -majority event. Vincent explained to The Citizen that the first event scheduled for the reunion is a golf tournament at the Wingham Golf and Curling Club which is quickly filling up. "There will be teams of four and, right now, 11 of 18 team spots are filled," she said. "There will be a $10,000 hole -in -one contest." For more information or to sign up for the tournament contact Steve Nixon at 519-357-2222. Saturday starts with a breakfast by the Belgrave Kinsmen from 7-10 a.m. At 11 a.m., a parade will start from west of Belgrave near the former East Wawanosh Public School and make its way through the village. Entry forms for the parade are located at the North Huron Township Office, Huron Bay Co-op in Belgrave and The Citizen's office in Blyth. The form is also available online at the East Wawanosh Continued on page 14 Blyth -only Cowbell opening set for Aug. 5 Cowbell Brewing Company is set to host its grand opening on Saturday, Aug. 5 exclusive to the residents of Blyth. Just as the company has done for its Home Opener announcement and its First Batch party, those with a Blyth mailing address will receive invitations, which will arrive in the Blyth residents' mailboxes shortly. On Sunday, Aug. 6, the location will be closed for a special Cowbell team friends and family event, but on Monday, Aug. 7, the brewery will open to the world. For Cowbell's first day open to the general public, a reservation is preferred for tours and dining. Call 519-523-4724 to make a reservation. Leading up to the grand opening, brewers will be moving into the building to begin testing, training and cleaning ahead of brewing later this month. In July, the company is planning to launch a special beer in honour of the general contractor and trades who have been working on the project for over a year. The beer will be neither a member of the Founders nor the Renegade Series, but a stand- alone installment in the company's drink offering roster. For more information on Blyth Cowbell Brewing Company, visit its website at cowbellbrewing.com.