The Citizen, 1995-05-31, Page 38brussels.walton
TRAILBLAZERS
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* Great grooming
* 215 km of safe trails
* Family fun
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* Winter wildlife & scenery
* Club activities & events
OFSC Permits Required
For more information call
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Going places
The Victorian Livery Service is the new brainchild of Marilyn and Jim
McGarrell of Penhale Carriage Works in Bayfield. The couple saw a market
for a simple, more elegant approach to transportation.
L
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Page 14
---- Stops Mang Vhe Way
Zurich cooks up tasty treats for 30 years at Bean Fest.
By Heather Sweeney Klopp
If you visit the village of Zurich,
population 900, any other day of the year,
you'll find a friendly, thriving, close knit
community of people working together in
sports, churches, service clubs, schools,
agriculture and business. If you arrive on
Aug. 25 to 26, you'll find all of that — and
more!
Zurich is located six kilometres inland
from Hwy. 21, halfway between Grand Bend
and Bayfield, on Hwy. 84, in beautiful bean
country. For 30 years the residents of the
area have been attracting visitors from near
and far to take in the sights, sounds and
tastes of a truly country festival.
One of the drawing cards of the Bean
Festival is the ever expanding Custom Rod
and Antique Car Show. Upwards of 500
vehicles roll into the Festival, to show off
their chrome and steel to anyone who wants
By Bonnie Gropp
The rural beauty of Huron County is an
ideal romantic setting, and one local
business has come up with a idyllic, intimate
way to see it.
Victorian Livery Service was formed
early this year by Marilyn and Jim
McGarrell, new owners of Penhale Wagon
and Carriage Works in Bayfield. "We
attended a wedding show at the first of
January. Our showroom model is taken to
four or five shows a year and other than that
we don't use it. The idea came to me then
that this would be a special service that I
believe there is a market for. Everything just
kind of evolved from that," said Marilyn.
There's little doubt that a horsedrawn
carriage ride has a certain appeal, a soothing
transition to yesteryear when chivalry and
romance were a given.
The McGarrells' vis-a-vis carriage holds
six people. Completely covered by a falling
top that comes from behind the driver to the
back, with curtains to completely close you
in, romantics can tuck themselves away
cozily from inclement weather. Or remove
the top to surround yourself in the
atmosphere created by balmy breezes, blue
sky and the hypnotic sound of the horses'
hooves.
It's high, style arriving somewhere in the
Penhale carrige. An elegant white with
burgundy piping, the carriage's interior is
sumptuous burgundy leather, its roof lined in
burgundy velvet.
To enhance the mood drivers Ken and
Virginia Steckle are decked out informal
to look under the hood or gaze into the
interior and remember bygone years.
The "Bean Meet" begins Friday, Aug. 25
at 7 p.m. with a round trip cruise from
Zurich to Dashwood and Grand Bend with
over 70 cars taking part. When the cars are
safely parked back in Zurich and the night
skies descend, fireworks light up the night.
Inside the arena, a country dance party is
going on.
But, don't stay out too late; the famous
Zurich Minor Athletic Pancake and Farmers'
Sausage breakfast begins Saturday, Aug. 26
at 7 a.m. until 10 a.m., downtown. The car
meet continues at the arena ball diamond
Saturday from 8 a.m. to about 5 p.m. with an
engine blow-out at 4 p.m.
As you walk up the street away from the
horse-shoe pitching, car show, bingo hall
and refreshment garden in the arena, you'll
find that the whole core of the village has
been transformed into an outdoor mall.
Victorian attire.
Though the service is a particular
attraction for weddings, the McGarrells offer
other suggestions. "It's a special anniversary
Traffic is re-routed to the back streets so that
booths and vendor stations can be set up.
You'll see everything from church groups
selling home baked pies and raffle tickets on
homemade quilts, to arts and crafts and
giftware.
Delicious sweet smells fill the air as does
the sound of the continuqus entertainment
from Mainstage. The line-up has included
Positively Stompin', the Four Shadows,
Dennis Siren and Rick Powell, clown acts
and more. You will have noticed by now that
there is no admission charge.
Any children that you have with you will
be thrilled to find an exciting midway and
Dr. Wallace's frog jumping contest at 3 p.m.
As you round the next corner you see the
famous "Bean Kitchen" sign hanging over
the "engine" of the whole event. From this
kitchen, 2,200 pounds of beans have been
baked to perfection by volunteers. People
come back year after year for all the beans
celebration or an excellent way to set the
stage for a romantic proposal or just a picnic
in the country," says Marilyn.
The carriage is also equipped with lights
so it can be taken out at night. Nor can the
mood be altered by the call of nature. "The
horses are equipped with a scoop so there
are no droppings to ruin the atmosphere."
A return to romance is obviously
something people have been waiting for.
Months before the official kick-off weekend
for Victorian Livery Service in May, the
McGarrells were booked through until fall,
including trips to the Elsie Perrin Williams
Estate in London, Grand Bend, Goderich
and one at Toronto's harbour front.
"The way it's been this year, it's best if
you book a year ahead, especially for a
wedding. Book the carriage then find the
guy," Marilyn jokes. "We hope to expand
because we really don't like to turn anyone
down."
This year, notwithstanding the start up of
the livery service, is actually a new
beginning for the Penhale Carriage Works as
well. Though it has been in existence for 20
years, the McGarrells, who took it over last
year, lost everything to a fire this past
February. Everything that is, except the
showroom model which was with them at a
Continued on page 18
you can eat (made from a secret recipe)
served with a barbecued pork chop, salad,
roll and coffee. Bean dinners are served
from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
It's hard to say exactly how many people
are in Zurich on Bean Festival day because
the people are spread throughout the
different areas. The numbers quoted are 15 -
20,000 people.
The Bean Festival Committee and their
army of volunteers have done their best to
ensure that the whole family will have a
wonderful time. Everyone in the village
pitches in to help in some way - and it
shows! They're always trying to improve, for
example, you'll find that the Festival is very
accessible if you're in a wheelchair.
While things are winding up in the
downtown core, things are revving up over
at the arena. The Bean Festival Dance begins
at 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
A rough camping area with limited space
is available at the ball diamond on the east
side of the village. Many people arrive early
to ensure they get a spot. If that is full, there
are many campgrounds very close by from
Grand Bend to Bayfield. If you have any
questions, you can contact the Village of
Zurich Municipal Office at 236-4974 during
business hours.
So, when that fourth Saturday in August
rolls around, be sure you are rollin' to the
Zurich Bean Festival. As they say, in Zurich,
"Bean There or Bean Square!"
Livery service offers touch of elegance