Great weather, great music and the symbolism of recovery all conspired to make the “Out of the Storm” fundraising concert at Courthouse Square in Goderich a success.
The event was made possible through the efforts of a huge number of volunteers and several major corporate sponsors.
Courthouse Square, the scene of major devastation August 21st, was transformed into a giant soundstage that welcomed both local talent and major Canadian acts like the Downchild Blues Band, Serena Ryder and Matthew Good in a 12-hour music marathon.
The Town of Goderich municipal crews worked tirelessly to remove remaining evidence of the many trees that had once lined the landmark park at the heart of the community, re-seeding the lawn at the still-under-repair Huron County Courthouse.
Town Council authorized the closure of several streets ringing the Square to allow the fundraising festival to take place at ground zero of the August 21st weather event.
In an important gesture, residents who lived in the “red zone”– represented by the 500 metre swath of devastation were admitted free- as were children under the age of 12, to help make the event a family celebration of recovery.
“Out of the Storm” is one of a series of many events planned to raise funds for the Goderich and Area Disaster Relief Committee.
Under ODRAP legislation, fundraising activities can continue until December 1st, 2011, with the province of Ontario matching dollars raised on a two for one basis.
