Forgotten Regattas at Sturgeon Point

This article appeared in this week’s issue of “The Fenelon Falls Town Crier”  and on Fenelon Falls website.

http://us4.campaign-archive2.com/?u=96e2c04ec7f8cdb50494afa8c&id=58f263eb08

http://www.fenelonfalls.info/WP/regattas-at-sturgeon-point/

Regattas at Sturgeon Point (May 2014)

Fenelon Falls, Kawartha Lakes, Sturgeon Point

Regatta spectators and participants gather around Joseph Brown’s Boathouse located between 4th & 5th Street,  Sturgeon Point Circa 1908 – Source- Vintage Peterborough, Lindsay and Kawarthas

Article Source: THE STORY OF FORGOTTEN REGATTAS AT STURGEON POINT, by Watson Kirkconnell, M.A.

From the earliest times the hardwood groves at Sturgeon Point were a favorite rendezvous for picnics and excursions. The first regatta here was held in 1841, eighty years ago.

All pleasure on that occasion was marred by the drowning of a Mr. Wetherup, who upset from his canoe while in the act of taking off his coat. He was a powerful swimmer, but with his arms thus pinioned behind him he was lost at once.

Thirty-five years later, Captain George Crandell, of Lindsay, the chief promoter of navigation on local waters, realized the possibilities of Sturgeon Point as a summer village and spent some $25,000 in developing it towards that end. In 1876 he built a large summer hotel, the management of which was undertaken by W. H. Simpson. Crandell also purchased an extensive tract adjacent to the hotel and plotted out lots for summer cottages. These were quickly bought up and built upon: and thus began the summer colony at the Point.

The first regatta under the auspices of cottagers was held on September 18, 1878. The event of the day was a double canoe race in which two Rama Reserve Ojibwas named Yellowhead won by a narrow margin from Whetong and Toboco, two Mississagas from the Chemong Reserve. The winners paddled a birch bark canoe at seventy strokes to the minute. There were several white entrants in this open race, but all were left hopelessly behind by the two Indian crews.

About this time a black bear was found roaming about near the hotel and was disposed of by excited huntsmen. The hotel was destroyed by fire in 1893, but the village about it had continued to flourish. It is a somewhat effete existence that these large community summer resorts offer to anyone possessed of youth and vigor: but they are a true paradise for little children and a healthful week-end refuge for urban workers who have no vacation in which to sally by canoe into the magnificent wildernesses of North Victoria and Haliburton.

To learn more about the history and happening at Sturgeon Point visit www.sturgeonpoint.com/

Halloween Festivities – One week away!

The werewolves will howl,
the monsters will mash!

It’s time to celebrate with Sturgeon Point’s Halloween Bash!

Saturday, October 26th

Sturgeon Point Park is where the fun will be at for serpents, spiders, and tail of rat!
Join us for pumpkin carving, face painting, games and scares from 11:00am to 1:00pm. 

Trick-or-Treating will happen door to door.  Try and scare your neighbours and much, much more!
Kids will be heading out at 5:30pm for trick-or-treating on a spooky walk around Sturgeon Point!

Please let us know if we can spook your house with our little goules and boys…….
by emailing [email protected]

Annual Thanksgiving Football Game

Location – Wisener cottage: “Rigadoon” 33 Henry Street.

Date – Sunday, October 13 2:00pm to 4:00pm

Each year on Thanksgiving a group of folks gather to toss the ol’ pigskin around and have a grand ol’ time. The Wisener Clan invites everyone, from all generations, to join in the fun. Whether you are interested in playing or just watching and socializing with friends and neighbours they’d love to see you all there! It will be a great way to get together one last time before closing up for the winter.

Please bring your own lawn chair/blanket and beverage of choice.

The format of the game is touch football for all ages and everyone gets a turn as Quarterback. Teams are distinguished as “Hats” and “No-Hats” so if you plan to play, please bring a hat with you.

Rain or shine.

See you there!

More information can be found on Facebook

Halloween in Sturgeon Point

Join us for some Halloween fun on Saturday, Oct. 26 at the Park.  We will have our amazing face painter again this year.  There will be crafts, games, pumpkin carving, and more!!
Then at 5:30pm all the monsters, wiches, superheros, and more are invited to roam to streets looking for candy!  (Trick or Treating maps will be available at the Park.  If you would like to hand out candy, please let [email protected] know.)

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