REPORT

	REPORT: HIGHLAND CREEK HERITAGE FESTIVAL - SATURDAY JUNE 16, 2007 -by Greg McConnell
	Sgt. Chris Van Hamme (top left) was our guest of honour on the podium this year. Chris is a Scarborough native and recently-returned Afghan conflict veteran. The Canadian Forces were also represented by an impressive display in the parade and in the Village arranged by Allan Champion of the Queen's Own Rifles regiment. Our Proclamation was read again this year by Mayor David Miller, who also participated as a parade VIP. On the left, MC Keith Robson, Mayor Miller, Councillor Ron Moeser, and our Chairman, Dave Adamson. The weather was even better this year than last – sunny all day (there was ONE threatening shower moment for about a half hour mid-afternoon), but not too hot!
	Our parade was a great success again this year! Theresa Smith took on this very time-consuming job, backed by a good group of volunteer marshalls. At the end of the parade, Greg Robertson of Three R Collision, among all his other unsung contributions to the day, donated and made sure the participants all got a hot dog and a bottle of water.
	Our publicity this year, handled by Lydia Manget, amounted to our usual circulation of the 2007 poster to the schools, and advising some of the media. CHFI (the "Summer Cruise Team") contacted us saying they would come visit, but that didn't happen; but they kindly announced us several times on the day of the event. The Villager special edition (12,000 printed) was distributed to the three communities, Highland Creek, Centennial, and West Rouge, including Port Union Village. Greg McConnell prepared and circulated a sponsored flyer by admail in the MIC area code (approx. 10,800 locations). The Scarborough Mirror also published a sponsored Heritage Festival page on June 13 and gave us an excellent write-up. Thanks, Scarborough Mirror!
	The entertainment this year was on Old Kingston in the Village at the parade dais. Jon Hinz and Robert Hinz lined up a nice mixture of adult and teen entertainment acts, including the Dukes of Harmony and some of the other parade participants, and folk singers Anne Walker and Troy Western. Click here for the line-up.
	The food gets better every year! Along with our regular ice cream, hot dogs, cotton candy and the Legion’s chip truck, we were attended by a wonderful Greek restaurant from the Danforth selling souvlaki, M & M Meats with burgers and chicken wings, The Joy of Harvest with fruit smoothies and patties, and our local Italian restaurant, Fratelli’s serving its great pizzas. Dawn Ramchuram joined our committee last year and again took responsibility for organizing the food.
	Our crafters’ market this year was again organized by Connie Cauwenbergs. There were many great displays, such as the parrots in the booth shown here, as well as crafts. In the Framing Dames store on Morrish Road, there was a lovely reception and display of local art from a judged art contest. The display will remain open until July 5, 2007. In addition, The plant sale by the CWL of St. Joseph’s Church, and the other plant vendors, as always, did a booming business.
	Marius Ois and The West Hill Highland Creek Lions Club tried some different things this year for the Children's Entertainment Park. The most spectacular was the High-Strung Aerial Act sponsored jointly by the Lions Club, Councillor Ron Moeser, and local law firm, Fleury, Comery LLP. The Club also had fun activities for young kids all day, such as sack races, a tug of war, a story teller etc. The Toronto Zoo volunteer group brought their fur display table for the kids. The East Scarborough Boys and Girls Club set up a great skate-boarding course on Morrish Road beside the children's activities area.
	In the Beer Garden we had a "Big Top" style tent for the first time. It gave us shade and protection. In the afternoon, Greg McConnell organized the sixth annual Karaoke Funfest hosted by Pip Hunt. This year's Highland Creek Idol, winning $500, was Dexter Edwards. The Runner-up (and come on back next year to WIN!) was Heather Smith. To help pay for this tent, Barb Bredin and Greg also organized an evening Street Dance. The Dance sold out! We danced to the music of popular group Turning Point until the witching hour. The next morning, Marshall Denny and Heather Moeser hosted a Father's Day Pancake Breakfast, which for a last-minute and first-time effort came off beautifully.
	For a list of the committee, the sponsors and donors for the 2007 Highland Creek Heritage Festival click here . Our photographer, Kent Smith, has our sincere thanks for taking over 350 pictures of the event, many of which we hope to present in our Picture Gallery shortly! If you have any pictures that you took at Heritage Festival, don't hesitate to e-mail them to me (gmcconnell@fleurcom.on.ca). We hope to see you in the Village next year, on Saturday, June 14, 2008! We’d love to have your feedback from this year, and if you’d like to become involved, get in touch - we need you. In any event, we hope to surprise you next year with some more attractions and another great family day!