Crowded street, but not with cars
About 600 people were estimated to have attended the Chesterville Meet Me on Main Street event last Wed., July 26. It was the largest Meet Me on Main Street so far. The final dinner, drinks and music event is in Winchester tonight.       Vetter photo

Candice Vetter
Villager Staff
CHESTERVILLE — Over 600 people are estimated to have attended the latest in the Meet Me on Main Street in Chesterville on Wed., July 26, part of a series of events that have taken off like wildfire this summer.

South Dundas Mayor Evonne Delagarde and OFA candidate Jacqueline Kelly-Pemberton pose beside the waterfront of the South Nation River during Meet Me on Main Street in Chesterville on July 26. Vetter photo

Villages in North Dundas have marked Canada 150 with celebrations in Morewood, South Mountain, Hallville and Chesterville, and the final upcoming one in Winchester on Wed., Aug. 2.

The concept is simple – food, drinks, music and room for all. Tables and food vendors are set up on a street downtown, and a band is hired to entertain. The entire event only runs from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. which attendees liked, because everyone is in one place at the same time making the evening into a great time to see friends old and new. The concept has also proven remarkably popular, with hundreds attending each one. North Dundas Mayor Eric Duncan told The Record that Hallville welcomed over 350, Morewood over 450 and South Mountain over 500. Attendees said that people who had moved away from these villages years ago came back for the event, making them into reunions.

Anne Carriere and Angie Holmes dressed to celebrate Canada 150 at the most recent Meet Me on Main Street event, in Chesterville on July 26. Vetter photo

In Chesterville there were plenty of opportunities to greet friends, and some visitors said they had liked the idea so much they’d come to several.

“This is great,” said Anne Carriere, owner of Simply Baked in South Mountain. “I’ve been to every one.” Her friend Angie Holmes of Winchester agreed. “It’s a great way to get the community together, from young to old.”

Community pride was in evidence, as people from babies to octogenarians attended. A bouncy castle and fire department display, as well as several other activities entertained children. Local restaurants and businesses added tables, and groups like the Rotary Club, the Lions Club, Southgate Church, the fire department, and others provided food, displays and volunteers, and added to the festival atmosphere.

The Southgate Church coming soon to Winchester participated in the Chesterville Meet Me on Main Street event last week, providing a large bouncy castle which the church owns, information about their grand opening coming up in the fall, and free popcorn to all and sundry. Shown here are Amanda Fraser, Madeline Fraser and Taylor Scharf. Vetter photo

Marlene Fawcett and her band played at the Chesterville event, and other events had different local entertainers.

Several people suggested that this become an annual event, and that it be extended in the evening into a street dance. Of course, each one has had perfect weather — a rarity in this summer of what seems like continuous rain — which helped draw crowds.

The final event is tonight, Wed. Aug. 2, on Main Street in Winchester, from Caleb to Louise. Go to http://northdundas.com/news/meet-me-on-main-street/ for a road closure and detour map.