Gananoque’s official town crier will be representing the community this weekend at the Ontario Town Crier Championships in Ottawa.
Brian Mabee, who also serves as a councillor with the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands, is among the participants taking part in the provincial event, which features a series of themed public cries and celebrations.
Mabee said one of his featured presentations during the championships will involve sharing the history of Gananoque and the Thousand Islands while presenting commemorative gifts on behalf of Mayor John Beddows and the local visitors’ centre.
“Presenting some memorabilia of the Thousand Islands and the Town of Gananoque,” Mabee said.
The championships will include three scheduled competitions throughout the weekend, including a Hometown Cry, a Bytowne Cry and a Tulip Cry.
Mabee said the gathering is about more than competition, describing it as an opportunity for town criers from across Ontario to come together to celebrate the tradition and connect with one another.
The annual championships bring together criers from communities across the province, showcasing local history, heritage and civic pride through the long-standing ceremonial role.
Mabee’s participation also serves as an opportunity to promote Gananoque and the Thousand Islands region to visitors and fellow participants from across Ontario
Keith Dempsey is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the Brockville Recorder and Times. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
Brockville Recorder and Times