Wiarton Willie Festival 2014 Day 2

The one morning I wanted to get up early was the morning I could have slept forever and ever ... Murphy's Law.  Why would I want to be up this morning at my usual time, before the "crack:" of dawn, why it was Wiarton Willie's Predication Day whether there would be 6 more weeks of Winter or not this day !

I dragged my poor dear Rob along with me.  Truly never most days he is a good sport about such things.

Caframo, Foodland & Tim Hortons was doing a Peameal Bacon Breakfast on a Bun for Wiarton Willie Fans this morning, so they were really up before the "crack of dawn" too!  Who did I see there volunteering but my first Cousin Peggy !  Hello Peggy .... 

Rob got a shot of himself being the "big shot" on some cold ice first thing.

Hollowed out logs are really good to make fire warmers out of to stand close to for warmth, as well as looking pretty darn cool in my books.

The Fireworks courtesy of Visit Orlando were totally "out of this World".  The crowd most certainly enjoyed them.

The Entertainment kept us all amused and into the swing of things by keeping us warm.

Just prior to 8:07 am the dignitaries made their way on stage while the Town Criers put everything out to the Crowd as how it was with Wiarton Willie and the dignitaries.

The 2014 Predication was 6 MORE weeks til Spring !!!  half the crowd cheered, as half was in favour of more Winter, and the other half not.  (since I was back a ways from the stage this was the clearest shot of Willie I could manage).

After the prediction was over some left while others made their way over to a breakfast of a Peameal Bacon on a Bun.  Caframo handed out 650 Breakfast Sandwiches this morning  !!!!  Wowsers ....

We came home to let the Aussies out, but headed back downtown not to long afterwards for the Closing of the Festival.  Also Rob hadn't seen the Gators yet this weekend, and I had also wanted to pop over to see how the Wiarton Optimist Club were making out with their "Kid's Day" over at the Propeller Club.

Here is my friend, Lynn with her Optimist Buddy Todd manning the Food Booth.  Lynn is a darn hard worker and gives pretty much everything of herself as a Volunteer to the Wiarton District Optimist Club.  How do I know this? cause she is my friend & I have watched her do so the past couple of years.  More photos can be found over at the Wiarton & District Optimist Club on their Facebook Page, HERE.

Yes it was my Rob's turn to get up close and personal with "Fluffy" this afternoon.

Some of the Wiarton Willie Comittee members milling around until the Closing Speeches.  Here came along Willie to attend also.

Todd Gibbons of Northern Confections was the MC for the Closing of the Festival, with some help and suggestions by Willie.  Paul Beirnes of Orlando Florida also said some words (we really really hope they come back next Wiarton Willie Festival, as they were all AWESOME).  The winner of the Orlando Trip had also been drawn, with me thinking it was someone down Newmarket or Toronto way who had won a 7 Day trip to Orlando FL for 4 !  How nice was that?

When we pulled in our lane way for the second time today I couldn't help but notice the all natural snow sculpture on the side of our Shed.  A French Poodle with a man in a hat hugging its neck maybe?  What do you see?

I was tired and needed something easy & quick to make for our Dinner.  Rob wanted Hamburger Helper & I won't buy it packaged, so I made a Homemade version.  He loved it.

Recipe please?  FOR A PRINTABLE RECIPE PLEASE *CLICK* HERE.

This past week I have taken over 2,000 photos.  That is a lot of photos to go through, with the editing of many.  After being down with a migraine Friday, and going pretty strong yesterday and today, I am pretty much all in but for my tail shirt, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

Wiarton Willie Festival 2014 Day 1

Yesterday my Niece Joanne sent me a text asking what I was doing this day.  I told her going to the Wiarton Willie Festival, and she told me she was coming along with me.  Boy not like I had much choice in that decision she made ... then I made the mistake of sending her a photo of the Cake I had made Rob for his Birthday.  She was definitely making sure she was showing up especially since I had food !  *shake my head* this is what I get for being jealous of her when she was born to my oldest Sister Jeanne, when I was five years old ????  now she is still hanging around with me, all these years later !  

Jo arrived around 9 am at my house.  We had a cuppa tea then headed on downtown Wiarton to get around to the festivities. 

Here is a recap of the day:

Wiarton's Bluewater Park was where Visit Orlando had set up their very cozy warming tent, right beside where the amazing Ice Sculptures were located.  Have a sit down on some very unique ice, then head on into the tent to warm yourself up.  You would not believe what was in this "warming" tent !!!

Yes inside the tent was the Queen of the Pageant along with her 1st & 2nd Princesses.  And there was Jeff of Cocoa Vanilla Wiarton holding a .... yes people that is a real live gator from Orlando FL..  YIKES !!!!

There certainly were lots of Goodies & Crafts at the SBPS today.  My friend, Cathy of Cathy's Confections was there with all her wonderful sweets.

St. John's United Church hosted their Annual Pancake Brunch.  Pancakes,  Local Maple Syrup, Sausages, Fresh Orange Juice and Hot Beverages .... yum oh yum.

At the Wiarton Fitness Centre, Lorna Garton was their doing some amazing Face Painting Artwork on some pretty cute kids.  Lorna can be reached to book Birthdays, Christmas or Halloween Parties or All Occasions by contacting her at 519-878-3317.

The Wiarton Willie Parade was being held on Wiarton's Berford Street.  You could feel the anticipation rising with all the smiling faces passing by ....

The Parade did go on with Wiarton Mayor John Close, an obvious Cousin of Wiarton Willie, and of course what would be a parade without a couple of clowns, and then there was Wiarton Willie himself !!!  More photos can been found on the Wiarton Willie Festival Facebook Page by going HERE.

Time passed fairly quickly this day with so much going on that we never did make it to the Wiarton Optimist Club's Fancy Tea, but here is a peek at that from 2012, should you go HERE.  I was sorry to have missed out this Year, but I couldn't manage the Parade and the Tea at the same time, and by the time the parade was done, I was pretty much done myself.

It was a full fun packed day in Wiarton this day.  Now for some recaps on a more personal level.

Joanne brought Ty along to meet me today, and I am pretty certain he had fun hanging out with us girls.  Yes we got to sit on "ice" this morning before heading into the "warming" tent.

Ha !  Joanne was surprised I actually held a gator.  I was not going to miss up an opportunity of a lifetime.  I can scratch "hold a gator" off my Bucket List now.

Ty hadn't wanted to hold, only touch the gator when we had first been there, however after having a "gator" painted on his arm we went back so he could actually"hold" a gator himself after all.  He did very well indeed.

Yes I really think Joanne used hanging out at the Wiarton Willie Festival with me today as a ploy to come back to the house for Fudge Ribbon Cake and to play around with Bandit.  What would you think?

It was a fantastic day !!! with tomorrow being the actual Predication Day.  I will be up bright and early to be down in attendance at Wiarton's Bluewater Park for Fireworks courtesy of  Visit Orlando prior to Wiarton Willie making his predication at 8:07 am.

On that note I think a nice hot shower and a warm best with hopefully a good nights sleep ahead will be the order for the remainder of this day, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".