The carnival would not exist without its volunteers. Here volunteers prepare food for 200 hungry children and adults. All of the food was donated. Pictured here are: Francine Dagenais (left) Noelle Drouin, Carol Pharand and Mariette Dagenais. Morin photo
Capturing the mood of the carnival was the Ménard family. In front, from the left, are: Nicolas, Vincent, Xavier. In the back are, Gaby and her dad Max, and then mom Shanon Ménard. Morin photo
The village borders on three municipalities – Ottawa, North Dundas and Russell – and each one makes a contribution to the carnival.
The three-day event began on Fri., Jan, 31 with a spaghetti dinner; after, visitors to the carnival had the opportunity to look over items donated to the silent auction, and later Marionville’s Got Talent Show got underway.
Francois Marion, president of the Marionville Citizens’ Committee, reported: “The Marionville Carnival was a resounding success again this year. Thanks to the many volunteers who helped organize all events. A crowd of close to 200 people showed up at Friday night’s bean and spaghetti dinner, served by the Knights of Columbus, followed by the Marionville’s Got Talent Show.”
Fourteen participants performed in the show. Following the talent show, music was provided by 613DJ for a dance.
Saturday was all about children. Activities from face painting to escape rooms, Pop Up Painting and games swept children away for the afternoon.
One of the carnival organizers, Rachel Seguin, said that Saturday morning is traditionally devoted to children’s activities.
She said all funds raised by the weekend event go back into the Marionville community.
“This was the second year for the talent show,” she said, and “it went very well.”
One of the volunteers in the kitchen, Noelle Drouin, said she had been volunteering at the carnival for 40 years. She said the children seemed to like the hot dogs most of all.
As the day wore on, there was public skating outside the community centre, hot chocolate, music and activities put on by the City of Ottawa Rural South Recreation staff. The day ended with the ever-popular trivia night; Marion estimates that 125 participants gathered for the trivia night. This was a fundraiser event for the Seaway Valley Juvenile Girls’ broomball team.
Sunday featured a family mass at Ste-Thérèse-d’Avila Church.
The mass was followed by a broomball game then a brunch hosted by the Knights of Columbus at the community centre. About 150 people attended. The day ended with wine tasting with Michel Villeneuve of Les Vergers Villeneuve and Blueberry Farm.
The next significant Marionville community event is the traditional sugar bush dinner and dance on March 21.
Joseph Morin is the Editor of the Eastern Ontario AgriNews, and the Record. He is, despite years of practice, determined to eventually play the guitar properly. He has served the Eastern Ontario community as a news editor, and journalist for the past 25 years with the Iroquois Chieftain, Kemptville Advance, West Carleton Review, and Ottawa Carleton Review in Manotick. He has never met a book he did not like.
