Hear Ye, Hear Ye! Town criers to compete in Gananoque
Gananoque will echo with booming voices, colourful regalia, and centuries-old tradition this weekend as it plays host to the Ontario Provincial Town Crier Championships.
The picturesque riverside town will come alive Saturday and Sunday as criers from across Ontario descend on Gananoque to vie for top honours in a celebration of heritage, humour, and heraldry.
Hosted by local councillor and Town Crier Brian Mabee, the event promises bold costumes, theatrical cries, and family-friendly fun throughout the weekend.
The championships will feature three competitive cries, judged by rotating panels of five to six adjudicators each round.
Saturday's events include a 'Hometown Cry' at Town Hall at 10 a.m. and a researched cry focused on Gananoque and the Thousand Islands at the Bandshell at 1:30 p.m. Sunday wraps up with a humorous cry at 11 a.m. exploring what it means to be a Town Crier, followed by awards at 1 p.m.
Criers, once considered the 'newspapers of the day,' were responsible for sharing news and proclamations before literacy was widespread.
Originating as far back as the 14th and 15th centuries, these official messengers relayed royal decrees, public notices, and local news to gathered townsfolk, usually punctuated with the unmistakable 'Oyez! Oyez! Oyez!' to demand attention.
While the weather forecast calls for possible showers, Mabee, who also serves on the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands council, assured that the show will go on.
'Well, Mother Nature is showing that she controls the weather,' he said. 'We have a weather location that we will notify all if we need to use it. The Royal Theatre has provided use of their grand facility if we require it.'
Events will take place at Gananoque Town Park, with community activities, games, and photo ops throughout the weekend. Admission is free, and everyone is welcome to witness the spirited echoes of history, one cry at a time.
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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