20170624: Belmore Homecoming & Dancing Tractors

While visiting cousin Audrey Chambers in Wingham, Ontario, Canada we were made aware of Belmore Hamlet South Bruce Municipality's Homecoming Parade to be held on the 24th of June 2017, whereby participants would be parading on the Belmore Line road in Belmore.

Audrey, Nadine, and I drove from Wingham arriving at Belmore about 10:30 a.m. and found a spot alongside the road to park. The parade began at 11:00 a.m., consisting of entries having from two to four legs to very small vehicles having from two tires to very large vehicles having 30 or more tires! Bands appeared from High School entries to several bagpipe and drum bands. Muscle cars, trucks both old and new, kit cars and clever rebuilds, fire trucks and golf carts. Tractors...who knew there were so many brands out there. And, oh yes, the Dancing Tractors...doing a square dance in front of the crowd!

A bit of local press regarding the Home Sweet Home Homecoming Event:

Belmore, Ontario, Canada

On April 6th and 8th the 50th Belmore Maple Syrup Festival took place. There were special events during the Festival weekend and the previous weekend. Debbie and Harry Busby provided dance music on Saturday April 1st. A pie auction and other activities invited community participation.

From the 23rd to the 25th of June, 2017, community, friends, and former residents returned to Belmore "Home Sweet Home" to celebrate 162 years.

Homecoming ticket packages, clothing, and souvenirs went on sale in the lobby of the Community Centre on November 6th and December 3rd, 10th, & 17th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day.

Meals consisted of beef BBQ, smoked pork chop BBQ, and fireman's breakfast - $45. Weekend passes included the same three meals plus Saturday night dance for $80.

The Homecoming Parade was held on Saturday, June 24th, 2017 starting at 11:00 a.m. and ending at 12:30 p.m.

Belmore friends were asked to come help celebrate Belmore's 2017 Homecoming, "Home Sweet Home," by participating in the parade.

The parade route was approximately 1.5 km in length. The starting point was 1/2 mile east of Belmore. Staging for the parade began at 09:00 a.m. and ended at Kerr's Gravel Pit south of Belmore.