Packed house
Over 400 hundred people attended the inaugural Tastefest fundraiser on Sept. 7 in the covered outdoor rink in Moose Creek. The fundraiser raised funds for the Henry Tessier Memorial Pool in the North Stormont community. Thompson Goddard photo

MOOSE CREEK – Tastefest 2019, the major fundraising event for the Moose Creek Pool committee, was extremely successful with organizers estimating the crowd to be over 400 with a couple of hours still to go in the event. The Harry Tessier Memorial Pool serves the Moose Creek area and is located near both the outdoor rink and recreation centre in the North Stormont community.

Organizing committee chair, and North Stormont councillor Roxane Villeneuve explained that she was asked by the MCPC if she would chair the event as she has previous fundraising experience. Villeneuve described the event as an opportunity for the community to come together in a social setting to enjoy a variety of food and beverages.

The event featured local breweries, wineries from across Ontario, a variety of foods to try and a silent auction with donations from businesses including Pommier Jewellers and VIA Rail Canada. Firefighters from North Stormont Fire Station 4 in Moose Creek provided parking assistance, while others were able to enjoy a free shuttle bus from Alexandria, Maxville, Embrun, Casselman and Cornwall. Live entertainment was provided by Lee McKinnon, the Ken Holland Band and Fridge Full of Empties.

Villeneuve was extremely pleased with the turnout and support shown by the community. She mentioned that Moose Creek’s GFL Environmental was the event’s major local sponsor with several other local organizations and businesses contributing to the success of the event. She expressed her “thanks to all contributors who made this happen” as well as gratitude to the volunteers who donated their time and energy to the event, which she described as a “phenomenal success.”