The Citizen, 1996-08-14, Page 170e + 50 GST 750 Vol. 12 No. 32 Wednesday, Aug. 14, 1996
Marking 100 years of education at Blyth schools, the present pupils celebrated the occasion
with the release of balloons from a birthday cake during the huge parade which marched
down main street Aug. 10, for Homecoming. The weekend was a success with warm, sunny
weather and more than 600 visitors from across the county and across the continent
participating in the events.
Photo feature
A pictorial look at Blyth
Homecoming '96 parade
highlights
See page 8
Sports
Brussels Squirt Girls
head on to WOAA semi-
finals
See page 11
Entertainment
Emotional drama a solid
ending to Blyth Festival
season playbill
See page 23
Homecoming '96 The North Huron
itizen They came in droves
to greet old friends
Warm weather and the promise
of reminiscing with long-departed
school chums brought approxi-
mately 600 visitors to Blyth this
past weekend when the village
hosted Homecoming 1896-1996.
Drawing former residents from
coast-to-coast in Canada and from
states as distant as Florida and
Texas, the event went very well,
says Marilyn Craig, Homecoming
committee member.
Three hundred visitors had regis-
tered prior to the weekend, but
Craig estimates that number dou-
bled with arrivals on Friday and
Saturday. (The list of visitors is still
being compiled and will be pub-
lished upon completion.)
After signing-in at Blyth Public
School and greeting old friends, a
large crowd gathered along main
street to watch the 70 parade
entrants pass by. As well as parade
By Janice Becker
Bigger and better every year, the
Trans Can Grand National Champi-
onships, billed as Canada's largest
outdoor motocross event, held Aug.
15-18 on the Lee farm near Walton,
proinises to be► more exciting and
packed with more thrills than ever
before.
In its fifth season, the local event
is sponsored this year by Valvoline
and the Sunday Pro finals will be
televised. by TSN.
With its fast-growing popularity,
experienced racer Matt Lee, son of
site owner Chris Lee, says, the
Walton event organizers expect to
host 750 riders and attract 10,000
spectators for the weekend.
The increased attention being
given motocross, is evident from
The 69th annual Huron County
Plowing Match will be held Aug.
22 and 23. It will take place at the
farm of Neil and Marie McGavin
on Family Paradise Rd., Conc. 13,
McKillop Twp., two miles south of
Walton.
Thursday, Aug. 22 is coaching
and 4-H Achievement Day. The
official Ontario Plowmen's
Association judges will show those
who wish to take part, what they
are looking for in a properly
plowed plot of land.
The Huron Sodbusters 4-H Club
members will show their stuff and
receive pointers in correct plowing
and soil conservation on the
Thursday afternoon.
Friday, Aug. 23 is the main day
of the event. Each competitor is
faithfuls, the Shriners, with their
many participants, local families,
businesses, school classes and com-
munity organizations entered floats,
making it very well received, says
organizer John Elliott.
The Blyth Fire Department
served between 200 and 250. pan-
cake breakfasts to hungry people,
Saturday morning with food avail-
able throughout the day from the
Blyth Lions and Legion Ladies
Auxiliary.
The evening barbecue fed
approximately 600 with most of
those attending the dance which
followed.
The Sunday morning church ser-
vice was very well attended, says
Craig, with each of the five church
congregations in the village partici-
pating, including musical perfor-
mances.
"Overall, it was a successful
weekend."
the live TSN sports coverage of the
championships, for the second year.
Broadcasts of the event will be
repeated Saturday, Aug 31 at 10
p.m., Friday, Sept. 6 at 4 p.m. and
Wednesday, Sept 18 at 9 a.m.
The battle for the elite title of
Canadian Champ will be hard-
fought for as racers endure the rig-
ors of the sport.
A vintage bike race, machines'
from 1974 and before, and 1975 to
1980, is planned for the pleasure of
the crowds.
Many post race activities are
offered for competitors and specta-
tors alike. There will be numerous
games, an abundance of food and a
beer tent.
Rock band Lonny Chicago of
Continued on page 19
allowed to plow a plot both
morning and afternoon. There are
classes for everyone from age 12
(boys and girls) to 100 and the
inexperienced to professionals.
Queen of the Furrow competitors
will begin plowing at 9 a.m. Later
they will be interviewed by the
judges then give speeches at 1 p.m.
(These will be two to three minutes
in length on anything concerning
agriculture.) The competition is
sponsored by Hensall Co-op. Any
young women interested should
call Lynn Godkin at 235-0777.
The winner will reign in 1996-
1997 and attend the International
Plowing Match in Simcoe County
(Cookstown) in 1997.
The reigning Queen Charlene
Continued on page 14
Motocross event
promises thrills
Area farm hosts match