Heritage Fair returns to the square

Alycia Douglass
Heritage Fair returns to the square
Friends of Crysler's Farm Battlefield members

CORNWALL, Ontario – Shoppers got an added dose of Canadian history as the annual Heritage Fair made its way to the Cornwall Square Shopping Centre this Saturday Feb. 18.

“We’ve got a few more participants this year,” said event organizer, Debbie Ledoux. With the Akwesasne Kahwatsi:re Genealogy & Historical Society and the Bishop’s House taking part for the first time, Ledoux says she is happy to see new organizations get on board with the event.

In addition to the two new organizations being added to the participants list this year, other presenters included the Friends of Crysler Farm, the SD&G Historical Society, Genealogie & Archives St. Laurent, and the Ontario East British Home Child Family, to name a few.

While involvement has been strong this year, Ledoux says that the mall doesn’t generate the foot traffic it once did.

“The Cornwall Square is less busy now, and without the grocery store, we don’t get that influx of people that we used to,” said Ledoux. Despite the lower number of shoppers, she says that the event welcomes many returning history patrons.

Kim McInnis is a member of Friends of Crysler’s Farm Battlefield, and has been involved with the event since 2014.

“It’s sort of gratifying to get to showcase Canadian history,” said McInnis. “Kids are starting to learn a little bit more about their heritage, and we like to think we’ve had a small hand in it.”

“We do tend to see some of the same faces from year to year,” said Ledoux. “They like to come out and see what’s new each year.”

In addition, Heritage-Patrimoine Cornwall will be giving out Heritage Awards to building owners in Cornwall as part of their contribution to Canada 150. For more information about the committee or upcoming events, please contact info@heritagepatrimoinecornwall.ca.

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