Huge ‘nod to Maud’ happening with festivities this weekend
Roger Varley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Numerous locations in downtown Uxbridge will be offering special events and treats this Sunday as the town celebrates the 150th anniversary of the birth of author Lucy Maud Montgomery.
Billed as a ‘Summer Social,’ the event will see Brock Street West closed off to traffic from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. from Bascom Street to Spruce Street, although Toronto Street will remain open. The theme for the ‘Year of Maud’ is "Hats, Cats and Flowers" and visitors are invited to wear their best hats or bonnets or make their own period-style hats during the event. Woods Clothing will offer the chance to make a 20s-style hat with ribbon and flowers.
Special guests will include Kate Macdonald, Maud's granddaughter, at Blue Heron Books, as well as appearances at several locations around the downtown area by Anne of Green Gables and Lucy Maud (portrayed by actresses). Lots of activities are planned, most of them with young people in mind. The Uxbridge library will have a scavenger hunt inside the library, as well as a penmanship desk and Anne-themed stories for children every hour from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. At Blue Heron Books, visitors will be able to take part in an Anne look-alike contest, meet with Kate Macdonald, have pictures taken in the Maud-themed display window and write postcards to "kindred spirits" in P.E.I. There's also a hopscotch grid outside the store.
Many storefront windows have window displays, some large, some small, some displaying artifacts from the collections belonging to the Lucy Maud Montgomery Society of Ontario (LMMSO). Preston Galleries will offer free face painting, visitors can create a bookmark at the Maud Makerspace at the BIA hut in the downtown parkette, and the LMMSO is presenting "Guess the Gadget” in which participants will see how many items from 150 years ago they can recognize.
The Uxbridge Farmers’ Market, operating from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., will host children’s activities and live entertainment as well as the usual food, handmade goods and produce.
There also will be many Anne-themed snacks and drinks offered at various locations. Presents will be offering raspberry cordials, as will Coldwell Banker and the Bridge Social, which also will be offering small bouquets, Maud makeup and ice cream treats. Other eateries will have special Anne treats available such as raspberry tarts and lemonade. The Uxbridge Historical Centre will hold a book-binding workshop right at the museum and, of course, the Leaskdale manse will be open for visitors. Taking advantage of the closed street, Allan McGillivray will lead a walking tour of historic downtown Uxbridge. This summer social is the result of a partnership between the LMMSO, the Farmers’ Market, the BIA, Uxbridge tourism and Durham tourism, the Township of Uxbridge and funding support from the Government of Ontario.