Art in the Park a success despite the rain
Roger Varley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Uxbridge Lions Club Art in the Park 2024. Photo by John Cavers
For Jean Doucet, president of the Uxbridge Lions Cub, the success of last weekend's Art in the Park event at Elgin Park could be measured by the smiles on visitors' faces. For Daniella Boerhoff, a local metal artist and one of the exhibitors, success could be measured by the connections she made.
Close to 100 artists, artisans and crafters set up booths for the two-day event, making it one of the largest art shows the club has held. Many local artists displayed their creations, but some exhibitors came from as far away as Montreal. Visitors had the opportunity to look at - and purchase - paintings, pottery, jewelry, metal work, wooden toys, clothing, photographs and garden sculptures. For the younger set, the picnic shelter was set aside for face painting and creating their own small masterpieces. Musicians were on hand for entertainment, food vendors offered fare at reasonable prices and the silent auction table was loaded with donations from the artists. All funds raised by the silent auction go towards the Lions' Dog Guide program.
Despite the large number of exhibitors, Doucet said the club has a waiting list of other artists who want to take part.
'Papa's Woodcrafts' at the Uxbridge Lions Art in the Park 2024. Photo by John Cavers
Doucet said planning for the event began as soon as last year's Art in the Park was over, and the club had about 30 volunteers helping to run the show. Preparing the park for the show began last Wednesday.
"It was all hands on deck," Doucet said, adding there are never enough volunteers.
Unfortunately for all involved, the event was doused by rain late Saturday afternoon and on Sunday afternoon a deluge turned the area into a soggy mess. As one person said in correspondence with the township, the downpour made the area look like "mudfest." He worried about the planned Autofest car show slated to be held in the park this weekend and asked that cars be kept out of the park's treed area. The public works department replied that the township is aware of the impact the heavy rain had on the park. The department said the township is working on repairing the damaged areas and "will ensure that Elgin Park is restored to its normal condition."