Councillors support noisy sports celebration

Traditional fire-truck parade draws backing

The winning team. Back row. Assistant Coach Andrew Bull, Assistant Coach Jamie McComb, Jack Locke, Will Watson, Grady Chapman, Cooper Danford, Travis Thomson, Colton Jaynes, Alex Cleverdon, Coach Jesse Milne, Assistant Coach Jason Marsden. Bottom row. Bat Boy Hunter Marsden, Colson Meyers, Miller Nicholson, Trinley McComb, Thomas Marsden, Blake Milne, Audrey Bull

Some members of Trent Hills council are supporting what they call the “long-standing tradition” of having the fire department lead a noisy parade for teams that win a league or provincial championship.

The issue came up on the weekend when the town was roused by celebrations for the Campbellford Cougars under 13 team that won the Ontario Amateur Softball Association’s provincial championship.

The players, parents, and fans celebrated with a fire-truck parade from the fairgrounds starting at 7 p.m. and winding through town and across the bridge.  

The sirens and horns were loud, which led some people like me to open their front doors and cheer as they went by, even though I didn’t know who had won what, but I’ve lived here long enough to catch the drift.

Even the cruise ship the Kawartha Voyageur got involved. Tied up along the corewall for the evening, it joined in and tooted its loud horn.

While dozens of people commented favourably on Facebook offering congratulations, some others were upset by the noise and feared something terrible was going on.

Councillor Gene Brahaney raised the issue at council on Tuesday, suggesting that anyone whose sleep was disturbed by noise at 7 p.m. needs to change their sleep pattern.

Councillor Rick English said he was on the sidelines cheering for a grandson who was on the team, and he supported the “long going tradition in a small community.”

Councillor Dennis Savery agreed that it was great to recognize the success of our young athletes.