Celebrate Victoria Day in Tillsonburg
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Hail Queen Victoria!! You have to love the lady who gave us a holiday!
Very few monarchs begin their reign young and die old, as Alexandria Victoria did, ascending the throne at age 18 and reigning 64 years until her death at 82 years of age. She used the name Victoria as Queen but her nickname in the family was ‘Drina’. She was a wee woman, barely five feet tall but she ruled over 54 colonies or countries, literally around the world. The world changed drastically with the industrial revolution while she was Queen and many trends we take for granted today were started by her, including the bride alone wearing white. Victoria was also the first monarch to ride in a train in 1842.
Everywhere you go you will find roads and streets with her name, around the world. She was the longest reigning monarch until our Queen Elizabeth II broke the record in 2015.
Queen Victoria was born on May 14, 1819, and the Canadian colony recognized her birth as a day of honour in 1845 and have been celebrating it ever since. In fact we are the only country in the world that does; not even Britain does.
If you wish to honour Her Majesty, bring a friend to tea to toast the Queen and have some sweets. You will also receive a brief talk about the Queen and the rare opportunity to see items actually owned by Her Majesty and learn how they ended up in our town! This royal event is Friday, May 24, at 2 p.m. for $12 (plus tax, advance tickets only) at Annandale National Historic Site. Please book by calling 519-842-2294.
Now if you are looking for fun on the designated holiday, you might wish to gather the family and kids and head to North Broadway Baptist Church for their Outreach Committee is running a Family Fun Zone on the Victoria Day Holiday Monday, May 20 and it is free! Free! Free! From 11:20 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 6 North St. E. They definitely will have fun for the whole family with inflatables, carnival games, refreshments and prizes. Ahhh, think of it. Why that brings to mind the smell of popcorn wafting through the air and candy floss! (Blue is best). It should be great fun. Please note that a parent/guardian is required.
Now let’s talk about when you were a child. Did you have a treasured doll? Hey, guys can be in on this as well, as there were GI Joe, Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck dolls and today every super hero imaginable! There were special dolls in the past as well and Annandale NHS is going showcase their collection and others on loan for the occasion. The museum collection includes and Eaton’s Beauty Doll and one autographed by Canadian Barbara Ann Scott who was the 1948 Olympic Skating Champion!
The dolls will be on display from the special Exhibit Opening, Sunday, May 26 at 2 p.m. until Aug 11.
If you are interested in Tillsonburg’s early railroads, you might like to see if there are any tickets left for the Thursday, May 30 ‘Lunch and Learn’ at the museum, which has Joan Weston presenting ‘Full Steam Ahead: Early Railroads.’ You will receive a delicious, catered lunch and talk for $25. The Friday Lunch and Learn is sold out.
Who is ready for the three-hour cruise? No, not Gilligan and the Skipper’s famous cruise but the Grand River Lunch Cruise and Blazing Fiddles Show Bus Trip. This bust trip starts in Tillsonburg at 9:45 a.m., arriving in Caledonia at ‘The Landing” for an 11 a.m. snack, followed by a live music show featuring The Blazing Fiddles. This group is known for their high energy and versatility when it comes to playing a variety of musical styles. From classical and fiddle, show tunes and jazz, this show is truly an entertaining start to your river cruise.
Next comes the three-hour cruise on the Grand River and a delicious three course roast beef lunch served at a window table. As you head down river the captain will give a commentary while you enjoy the scenery. You have a short time after the cruise to browse the Big Creek Bakery and Crafts. At 4 p.m. you depart for home arriving 5-5:30 p.m.
The Tour is Friday, June 21. Advance tickets are $100 +HST ($112). To sign up please call Annandale NHS 519-842-2294.
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