HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2014-05-14, Page 88 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Shunpiker's mystery tour
comes to Seaforth
Whitney South
Huron Expositor
An annual tradition organized by the London
Free Press for the past 45 years, the Shunpiker's
mystery tour of daytrip destinations found it's
way to Seaforth on May 11.
Though the route may be different each year,
the theme of discovering new locales through-
out London region remains the same. And
hopes are high moms of any age can enjoy a day
out with their families.
The plan is kept top secret until the day before
when the Free Press releases a special insert
outlining the day's planned destinations.
Both Seaforth and Egmondville were filled
with historic sights and sounds. The mayor
donned his top hat and tails to greet visitors at
town hall, while ladies in period costumes
sashayed up Main Street handing out flowers.
Visitors were treated to a wealth of activity up
and down Main Street, as well as tours of his-
toric sites including Van Egmond House, town
hall and the local Masonic Lodge.
The day's headcount was estimated at over
3,000 folks, including visitors from London,
Stratford and the surrounding areas.
Jan Hawley, economic development officer
for Huron East, explained she was not only
thrilled with the day's turnout, but with the
amount of support she received from local mer-
chants, volunteers and residents.
"The people of Seaforth and Egmondville
should be very proud of their community," she
said, adding as a result of the wonderful show-
ing of Seaforth Spirit, visitors may have been
enticed to relocate here. "Just a stellar day all
the way around."
After reaching a destination, Shunpikers were
given a Mother's Day carnation and encouraged
to fill out an online survey, giving feedback
Hawley found extremely gratifying.
Visitor Margaret S., had nothing but praise for
the town, as well as the hard work of the many
volunteers.
"In the many decades of Shunpiking with the
London Free Press I don't recall a village or
town laying out the red carpet the way Seaforth
did today," she commented online. "From the
mayor to the volunteers and shopkeepers - eve-
ryone was so welcoming and happy. Hubby and
I were so impressed with your Shunpiker hard
work and enthusiasm, we'd come back in a
heartbeat"
For Seaforth BIA chair Carolanne Doig, expe-
riencing such a flood of new faces, eager to
explore something new was great to see.
"Everyone was so nice, and very very patient,"
she said, adding the golf course dining room
was filled to capacity for most of the afternoon,
while the staff worked hard to make sure no one
left without a smile.
"Most of them do this every year and a lot of
them had never been to Seaforth before and
said it was just beautiful here, so that was
great"
A far cry from it's humble beginnings run out
of the Free Press parking lot in the 1960s, the
Shunpiker's mystery tour continues to fascinate
London area residents with this year's tour
which also included stops in Exeter, Hensall,
Blyth and Clinton.
Hawley summed up the day as a rousing suc-
cess, adding how grateful she was for everyone
taking the time to make the day special for each
visitor.
"Knowing the recent weeks of hard work
leading up to the event has paid off is a great
feeling," she said. "The enthusiasm of our 60
volunteers and the merchants participating in
the Shunpiker Tour was evident and should
serve our community well as we move into the
future."
ATTENTION ADVERTISERS!
DEADLINES
Our Weekly Deadlines are as follows:
ADVERTISING & EDITORIAL
Friday @ 2:00 pm
Iluron Expositor
8 Main St., Seaforth
P H : 519-527-0240
www.seaforthhuronexpositor.com
OFFICE HOURS:
Mon. - Fri. 9am - 5pm
CLOSED TUESDAYS
Guests
ventured
around town
hall, taking in
the historic
artifacts and
displays on the
second floor.
Visitors to
Van Egmond
house
enjoyed a
tour of the
historic site.
we IF:ilVLV 1111 'III ITalumw
1
Main Street
saw its share
of vintage
automobiles.
.74
1
Cathy Elliot and Jan Hawley welcomed visitors to Main Street.