Gananoque lends its ears
The Ontario Guild of Town Criers descended on Gananoque for its Provincial Town Crier Championships, a lively competition celebrating a centuries-old tradition of voice-powered storytelling.
Originally scheduled to take place outdoors, the competition was moved to The Royal Theatre due to rain and poor weather, but that didn't dampen the spirits, or the decibel levels, of participants.
The weekend featured three competitive 'cries,' judged by rotating panels of five to six adjudicators per round.
Some of the judges throughout the weekend included Gananoque Mayor John Beddows and Deputy Mayor Vicki Leakey, who helped evaluate the criers on everything from content and clarity to presentation and style.
The championship kicked off Saturday with a 'Hometown Cry,' followed by a researched cry on Gananoque and the Thousand Islands. On Sunday, competitors delivered a humorous cry on what it means to be a Town Crier, before wrapping up with an awards ceremony.
The event's top honours went to Chris Whyman, Kingston's Town Crier, who earned a first-place finish, while Liam Cragg, of Alnwick/Haldimand in Northumberland County, and Bill McKee, of Uxbridge, Scugog and the City of Oshawa, tied for second place.
[caption id="attachment_3044231" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Chris Whyman, official Town Crier for the City of Kingston, takes top honours at the Ontario Provincial Town Crier Championships in Gananoque, earning first place with his commanding voice, presence, and historic flare. KEITH DEMPSEY/Local Journalism Initiative[/caption]
As part of the two-day event, a special dinner was held Saturday evening. Criers Bill McKee, Andrew Welch (Orangeville, Caledon,Erin), Les Whiting (Petrolia), Mark Molnar (St. Catharines, Lincoln) and Bruce Kruger (Bracebridge, Wiarton, Owen Sound) all received their long service bars for many years in the guild.
Steve Clark, the MPP for Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, attended the event's opening ceremonies alongside local MP Michael Barrett, Beddows, Leeds and the Thousand Islands Mayor Corinna Smith-Gatcke, and Gananoque Poet Laureate Gretchen Huntley.
'Kudos to host Town Crier Brian Mabee and everyone involved in bringing this wonderful event and showcase for this proud tradition to the community,' said Clark.
And during a ceremonial moment, Beddows received warm greetings from Jennifer Templeman Olivero, official Town Crier for the Town of Hanover, who brought well wishes from Hanover Mayor Sue Paterson and Council. In return, Beddows extended greetings on behalf of the Town of Gananoque to the residents of Hanover, marking a moment of camaraderie and connection between communities.
[caption id="attachment_3044214" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Gananoque Mayor John Beddows receives warm greetings from Jennifer Templeman Olivero, official Town Crier for the Town of Hanover, on behalf of Hanover Mayor Sue Paterson and Council. In return, Beddows shared well wishes from the Town of Gananoque to the residents of Hanover during a special ceremony held as part of the Ontario Provincial Town Crier Championships. SUBMITTED PHOTO[/caption]
The competition was hosted by Mabee, Gananoque's own Town Crier and a Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands councillor, who led the organizing efforts.
Town Criers were once known as the 'newspapers of the day,' dating back to the 14th and 15th centuries. Long before social media or print, these boisterous figures delivered royal decrees, public announcements, and news to the gathered masses, often starting with the trademark attention-grabber: 'Oyez! Oyez! Oyez!'
The weekend's event attracted not only criers and officials but plenty of enthusiastic locals who embraced the tradition with open arms and ears.
'Congratulations Chris, Liam Cragg and Bill, and to Brian Mabee and Town of Gananoque for a fabulous competition!' said Olivero. 'We greatly enjoyed your wonderful hospitality and friendly community.'
Deputy Mayor Vicki Leakey also praised the efforts behind the scenes.
'Congratulations Brian Mabee, this weekend event was enjoyed by all,' said Leakey. 'Thanks to you, Tina and all the other helpers that contributed to the success. Also a big shout out to the Royal Theatre for saving the day and providing a wonderful dry venue on a rainy weekend.'
Keith Dempsey is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the Brockville Recorder and Times. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
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