Corunna 200 holds Street Festival

A section of Lyndoch Street will be closed to traffic on Saturday for the Street Festival, celebrating Corunna's 200 years of history.

The Corunna 200 committee has been busy planning festivities over the past year to mark what almost was. This year marks 200 years since Corunna was considered to be a possible site of Canada's capital.

Ultimately Corunna was crossed from the list of potential sites due to its proximity to the U.S., however, Committee Chair Tracy Kingston still wanted to highlight the historical significance and celebrate the community.

"I think it's peaking people's interest and understanding that it's kind of a cool thing that we could have been the capital city," she said.

Prior to the Street Festival, the Corunna Legion will host a $12 breakfast, beginning at 8 a.m. on September 23.

The Street Festival will take place from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. and will feature vendors, tethered hot-air balloon rides, inflatables, a scavenger hunt, and face painting.

Entertainment will also include a clown, a mermaid, costumed characters, and a chalk artist.

"We're also giving away 200 books as part of our 200 theme, so we're going to have a story time (from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m.) and give away books," Kingston said.

A full schedule can be found on the Corunna 200 Facebook page. 

Kingston said festival attendees are encouraged to visit area establishments as food and beverages will not be sold directly on-site.

Earlier this spring, street banners were placed along Lyndoch Street and a rededication ceremony was held at St. George's Square in May.

Kingston said their final event will likely take place in October at Corunna's clock tower to unveil commemorative storyboards and a time capsule.

"It's not going to be buried, we're going to have it kept at the township's office," Kingston said. "It [has] a little sign on it that says it's to be opened in 50 years."

Committee members will ask residents for ideas on what to include in the capsule during the Street Festival.

Kingston said some possible items include a commemorative photo from the Street Festival, municipal pins, and a copy of their community newsletter.

During the Street Festival, Lyndoch Street will be closed between Fane Street and Cameron Street. Attendees are encouraged to park as far back as possible and walk to the site.