MILDMAY – We’ve been counting down the number of sleeps until the Mildmay-Carrick Homecoming 2023 and here we are – only seven sleeps until we will be “Better Together!”
The event is set to take place Thursday, Aug. 3 to Monday, Aug. 7. The committee has a scheduled filled of events, with something for everyone of all ages to enjoy.
The weekend of festivities starts with the ambassador competition and official opening ceremony. Fifteen young people are participating in the competition, and there will also be local entertainment. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the ambassador competition begins at 7 p.m.
The Tent is a place to be “Better Together,” and will be open each afternoon from Friday to Monday featuring live entertainment. Join the Bar Committee as they host a “Caesar Sunday.” And you won’t want to miss the beard growing competition judging, which takes place on Sunday afternoon.
The Lounge will also be open each afternoon for a place to visit, with refreshments available and the opportunity to view historical photos and memorabilia. On Sunday, you can enjoy the music of the Crippled Duck, and on Monday there will be a card party.
Don’t forget about The Zone, a place for fun for the kids. There will be children’s fun activities, face painting and tattoos throughout the weekend, with bouncy castles and a magic show with Five the Magician on Saturday. Sunday will see Chuckles the Balloon Artist, who will also be at the breakfast earlier. The adventurous can try rock climbing and axe throwing, and Wonder Woman, Spiderman, Elsa & Olaf will also be on hand with a mingle and show for the kids. Little Ray’s Reptiles will visit on Monday, followed by bingo. There will also be a children’s parade on Sunday, and R&R Pet Paradise Power Paws will be entertaining the whole family with two dog shows.
There are all kinds of special events over the weekend, starting with a golf tournament on Friday. Saturday will see a kids’ firefighter obstacle course and a teen co-ed volleyball tournament. On Sunday, there will be horseshoe and co-ed volleyball tournaments. To wrap up the weekend on Monday, there is a youth road hockey tournament, lawn games and the always popular bed races. There is also a scavenger hunt, which will take place all weekend around town.
The homecoming parade on Saturday at 11 a.m. is sure to be a highlight of the weekend. Check out the “100 Years of Farmall” antique tractor show after the parade. And drop into the school reunions on Saturday afternoon at Mildmay-Carrick Public School and Sacred Heart School to reminisce with old classmates and see the displays.
Sunday will have the vehicle enthusiasts coming out to see the classic car and truck show and bike show. And everyone is welcome to the community church service on Sunday afternoon at Mildmay Sacred Heart Church.
You will want to stick around for the awesome Fireworks Show on Monday night at dusk, which will definitely end the weekend with a bang!
Delicious food is a big part of the weekend with three breakfasts and four dinners. Beef is on the menu Friday night, chicken on Saturday, smoked pork chops on Sunday and New York striploin steak on Monday. There will also be food truck options available all weekend.
And what’s a homecoming without dances? Friday night will see two glow in the dark video dance parties for the pre-teens and teens. Age of majority dances have The Practically Hip taking the Main Stage on Friday and Neon Nostalgic on Saturday night. Little Rock will be the band on Sunday night, with Lulu’s Roadhouse Band closing out the weekend on Monday night.
Official brochures are now available at local businesses. You can also get your 50-50 cash draw tickets at Mildmay businesses and at the Homecoming.
Tickets and Souvenirs
If you purchased tickets online, they can be picked up at Mildmay Freshmart on Thursday, July 27 from 4-7 p.m. and Saturday, July 29 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., at the ambassador competition on Thursday, Aug. 3 from 6-7 p.m. and The Tent on Friday, Aug. 4 from 3-7 p.m.
Meal tickets will also be sold at the times before July 30 (cash only) and online (credit card only) until Sunday, July 30, while supplies last. There will be NO meal tickets available after Sunday, July 30.
Dance tickets will be sold online (credit card only) until Thursday, Aug. 3, and at the ticket pickups and each dance (cash only), while supplies last.
The last day to shop for souvenirs online is Sunday, July 30. Schuett’s Furniture Warehouse on Elora Street in Mildmay will be open for in-store shopping on Saturday, July 29 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and Tuesday, Aug. 1 from 3-6 p.m. Online orders can be picked up before the ambassador competition on Thursday, Aug. 3 from 6-7 p.m. And for those last-minute purchases, souvenirs will be sold at The Tent on Friday, Aug. 4 from 3-6 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 5 after the parade until 5:30 p.m., while supplies last.
For more information about Mildmay-Carrick Homecoming 2023, visit www.mildmaycarrickhomecoming.ca.
