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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1976-07-15, Page 26OUT OF THE PAST — The CNR 6060, a steam engine, was the greai attraction on Sunday as the Ilderton Centennial celebrations con- firmed, The huge engine provided the power to pull 13 passenger cars, filled to capacity, to Clinton as part of the festivities to observe Ilder- ton's 100th birthday. photo by T. Stover. Olympic '76 SPECIALS Red and Blue Nylon JOGGERS Boys' & Girls' Sizes 1 to 6 Reg. $14.95 1 095 filmull 411,6 41111 Ladies & Men's Sizes 6 1/2 to 12 Reg. $17.95 1 295 Ladies White DRESS SHOES ALL 1 ilk PRICE 1 Ladies' & Misses' SANDALS S TYLES 25% OFF Special Racks At Special Prices ' ALL SALES FINAL ON SALE SHOES Wuertb's MAIN ST. Shoe Store EXETER • Weigh in at Exeter Co-op 10 a.m. Admission ,3.00 PS Children Free • • • • • • CLASSES 1. Out of the field 6000 lbs. 2. Out of the field 8000 lbs. 3, Out of the field 10000 lbs, 4. Out of the field 12000 lbs. 5. Out of the field 16000 lbs. 6. Open Class 7000 lbs. 7. Open Class 9000 lbs. 8, Truck Class 7000 lbs. Chairman: Bruce Shapton, R.R. 1 Exeter, Telephone 235.1027 Free Parking Refreshment Booth presents . . . 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SEE YOU SOON 'Malaise fled Chickeil minzizz BEST BEARD—Boyce Powell of lidertOn came out the winner in lIderton's Centennial Beard Growing Contest held Friday night. Mr. Powell was judged as having the best over-all beard, While Fin McKinley had the longest beard and Doug Andrews had the most colourful. Photo by T. Stover Page 26 Times-Advocate, July 15, 1,976 Ilderton centennial attracts large crowd By TIM STOVER The Ilderton Centennial was many things to the many people who attended those festivities on the weekend. To Fred Kennedy who has lived in Ilderton since 1914 it was the recollection of many grand old times and a renewing of old acquaintances who had moved away and then come back for the celebrations. Anybody who had lived in that town or the surrounding area for any number of years and was in Ilderton this weekend was sur- prised to see a person or a family he had not seen in years. The Jeffrey family had moved to Nova Scotia five weeks ago from Ilderton, but drove over- night to be here for the opening ceremonies on Friday evening. And for their troubles Mr. and Mrs, Jeffrey and their five children won a prize for being the largest family in costume. Trying to get a picture of the Jeffrey's for the paper was hard because the entire family was spread out talking to friends. But, while just managing to snap one picture, they were gone again. Of the people that I talked to during the weekend, none had a bad word for the way the celebrations were run. Phrases like "good show" and "well run" were always mentioned. The smoothness of the proceedings seemed to keep the mood light. Despite the 30-35 degree heat even the most strenous activities carried on vigorously. Every activity from the opening ceremonies, to the parade on Saturday, to the train ride and buffet dinner that closed the weekend was executed with enthusiasm. Watching the events take place brought another thing to mind which impressed me the most. How well organized the entire weekend was. During the opening ceremonies on Friday night, Hugh Filson, the Master of Ceremonies, gave credit to all the organizing committees and their efforts which began almost one year ago. Their long hours spent on the Ilderton Centennial celebrations were not wasted, Praise of the highest order should go out to the members of the organizing body and their helpers. It was a good weekend sure, but what happened that made it good? There was one thing for certain about the festivities during the weekend, just when one big event was ending, another activity was beginning. It was non-stop for two and a half days, starting on Friday night when Newt Paisley cut the ribbon to officially open the Centennial weekend. Then the fun began immediately with the contest that is held at any Cen- tennial celebration, the Beard Growing contest. Starting on January 9 of this year, each entrant was clean shaven, and the culmination of six months' of trimming and itchy kisses was judged by two more bearded wonders, and a fine lady, Mrs. Veronica McGrath. The two men judges were Brad Finch, London's own meteorologist, and Jim Weir, radio personality on CFPL radio. While Reg Freer and his or- chestra played lively dance music, the contestants were being carefully inspected by the judges for color, shape and fullness. It was a tough job, as over 50 beards had to be judged. But at the presentation of awards it was Boyce Powell of Ilderton who was considered to have the best beard over-all. Doug Andrews had the most colorful beard, and Fin McKinley had the longest beard . but only by a hair. Saturday took on the at- mosphere of a fall fair. Ilderton, already known for its fine fairs kept up its reputation when, although 30 minutes late, the Centennial parade made its way down main street to the fairgrounds. More than a mile long, it took at least an hour for the varied floats and displays to pass any one point. Every possible mode of ground transportation was used for the parade. Horses, antique cars, tractors, (both steam and gas powered), and jeeps from the Mocha Temple Corps all helped make the parade a successful one. It would be impossible to mention all the various articles in the parade, although it wouldn't be fair not to mention the unusual team that Lavern and Helen MacPherson of Arkona used to pull their cart. Two harnessed hogs snorted and oinked their way down the street. 6,000 people lined the streets to view the parade. The Centennial parade even had celebrities to boast of. Barry Hearn, a familiar face in Ilderton, rode in a Mocha Temple jeep with hockey star Terry Crisp of the Philadelphia Flyers. And in another jeep was Denis Dupere of the Kansas City bCOUCS. Ansa Craig's own Earl Ross displayed his stock car in the parade. The Shriners of London were well represented. There was a Shriner band, Shriners in jeeps, on mini-bikes, and in miniature cars, Rain threatened the parade, but none fell. After the parade the com- petitions and the displays began in earnest. Arts and crafts were being shown in the arena and the United Church Women sold pastries and baked goods. Outside there was activities in every direction. Kids could get on the rides or eat anything from pizza to candy floss. Or they could search for money in a haystsack and climb a greased pole. For the hardy, there was the log sawing contest and the tug-of-war which was eventually won by Poplar Hill. And for everyone to watch, the Midlanders Marching Band from London, On display behind the arena was all different types of antiques tractors, cars, and engines that chugged and pumped away during the afternoon. A 1923 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow was one such antique car there, The age of steam was in full force as miniature steam engines per- formed such tasks as sawing logs. At night entertainment became the main feature as the Stonemans played, as well as the Jubilaires and Kathy Shepherd. rant ine top um or me evening was country and western star Ronnie Prophet. Ronnie delighted the crowd of well over 1,200 with his guitar and comic antics. For breakfast Sunday morning the people who lived in town probably didn't eat at home. Pancakes and eggs were served up piping hot at the Ilderton Curling Club. And when you were finished breakfast, church ser- vices were held, with guest speaker Rev. Finley Stewart. The big attraction on Sunday was the great train excursion to Clinton and return, on the CNR 6060. Once again the age of steam made an appearance. The old steam engine from yesteryear pulled 13 passenger cars, filled to capacity. It was quite a sight to see and this monstrous engine chug its way down the track. To some it was a new experience, to others it brought back a lot of memories, Finally, a buffet dinner was held at the Ilderton Curling Club to close the festivities. Someone from up "there" must have been smiling on the town of Ilderton on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, The clouds loomed over, threatening the Centennial celebrations with disaster, The rain fell at night and didn't cause any cancellations of events during the daylight hours. Good planning and good luck gave the town of Ilderton a birth- day party to remember. STOCK CAR DRIVER Earl Ross of Ailsa Craig entered the Ilderton Centennial parade pulling his stock car he uses oh the speedway circuit. Earl was also handing out vouchers for his sponsor's pro- duct, Coca-cola. Photo by T. Stover ANOTHER JUDGE—The three judges of the beard growing contest at the Ilderton Centennial celebra-. tions just couldn't make up their minds who had the softest beard. So they employed the help of another judge. Here a little girl from the audience tests the beard of one of the contestants. Softest beard award went to Paul Woods. Photo by T. Stover FAMILY AFFAIR—The fani4 of Gord Taylor observed Ilderton's 100th birthday costumed in the dress most popular before the turn d the century. Gord and his wife Jane standing behind their children, Andrea on the left, Sara is at the right and Adam sits in the antique carriage. Photo by T. Stover