The Winchester Curling Club set up a curling street game with a lot of interest shown in hurling the “rock” down the “sheet of ice”. Thompson Goddard Photo

CHESTERVILLE – There was dancin’ in the streets, great food to eat, refreshments to drink and the opportunity to enjoy some children’s games, curling and cornhole demos during the 2023 Chesterville Meet Me on Main Street on Wed., July 26. The event was held at the junction of King, Water and Main streets in the village, due to the detour, because of the bridge repair on County Road 43. There was an incredible turnout of people at the evening celebration.

Meet Me on Main Street began as a Canada 150 initiative in 2017 in North Dundas and has become a summer tradition in the municipality, held in Morewood, South Mountain, Hallville, Winchester, Marionville and Chesterville during July and August.

After mentioning how Meet Me On Main Street events are wonderful, Morewood resident Carl Hutchinson continued “You get to meet old friends, the bands are really, really good and the food is excellent!” The Gathering House, Simply Baked Catering, Big Mama’s Kitchen, the Chesterville & District Lions Club and Fat Les’ Pub and Poutinerie provided visitors to the event, with the opportunity to enjoy some delicious food with Humble Beginnings Brewing Co., Rurban Brewing and King’s Lock Craft Distillery providing refreshments.

People were able to enjoy their meal while visiting with old friends and making new one’s at the tables set up in the commercial area of King Street and listen or perhaps dance to the music of Hillbilly Highway. In the vacant lot on Water Street across from The Gathering House, the BGC Dundas Youth Program set up a children’s game area, with the North Dundas Cornhole league demonstrating the sport.  North Dundas firefighters and The Gathering House had booths set up on Water Street, with the Winchester Curling Club providing people with the opportunity to “street curl”.

SDG warden and North Dundas Mayor Tony Fraser described the people attending as enthusiastic, continuing how Meet Me On Main Street events are “a gathering of neighbours, friends and friends to be.” He thanked municipal staff for organizing the events and the people who attend them.

The 2023 Meet Me On Main Street events ended in Winchester on Wed., Aug. 2.