It is a party fit for a town.
More than 300 people gathered at the foot of High Street in Southampton last night to kick off the town’s 150th Anniversary celebrations.
Former Mayor Art Eby was the master of ceremonies during the opening ceremony which included performances by Kent Boys and the Southampton Jazz Band and members of Saugeen First Nation.
There were also politicians and dignitaries speaking at the event including Saugeen Shores Mayor Mike Smith, Bruce County Warden Milt McIver, Huron Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell, and Huron Bruce MP Paul Steckle.
Eby was the last Mayor of Southampton before the town amalgamated with Port Elgin and Saugeen Township into the Town of Saugeen Shores in 1999.
He says even with amalgamation Southampton has not lost its identity.
Eby says last night’s ceremony was the beginning of a year of hard work by all of the committee members.
He says the way people have turned out for the event should make for a very successful event.
The ceremonies also included a number of surviving former mayors of Southampton.
One of them was Arthur Knechtel who served as Mayor on two separate occasions during the 80s and 90s.
Knechtel says it is wonderful for the community to get together and celebrate and is looking forward to the weekend.
He says it is also wonderful that their neighbours in Saugeen First Nation were able to partake in the opening ceremonies.
Knechtel says Southampton has always been a friendly town and calls it a piece of heaven.
He says when people come and see this place they like it so much that they move here.
Knechtel says Southampton has a certain character where people recognize the history and milestones.
He says that is what makes Southampton different from many other towns.
The Southampton 150th Anniversary celebrations runs until August 17th.
For information on events go to www.saugeenshores.ca/southampton150.
