Kiwanis Club Will Be Busy During Dickinson Days

By Ralph Tweedie, Manotick Kiwanis Club

Spring is always a busy time for the Kiwanis Club of Manotick. It is when we hold our major family fun event: Dickinson Days. It is our way of thanking the community for their year-round support. Planning starts in earnest by December. It takes months of planning to obtain the necessary permits and sponsors and to coordinate with all the various participating organizations and volunteers.

This year the event will be three days. We start once again on Friday evening with the parade at 7 p.m., followed by a children’s show by the arena and finish off the night with fireworks. After the parade you can grab a burger at the Legion.

Saturday, the focus is around Dickinson Square. It starts with a pancake breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m. Throughout the day there is the popular Village Craft Fair, a Family Variety Show in Dickinson Square, Doors Open Ottawa at Watson’s Mill & Dickinson House, and a Kid’s Catch & Release Fishing Derby at the Dam. 

In the village proper there is a Sidewalk Sale on Manotick Main Street, Family Fun amusements at the Mews and horse drawn wagon rides between Main St. and the Mews, all sponsored by the BIA. A fun event for the whole family is the Great Manotick Adventure sponsored by YOMA, be sure to check that out.  

Sunday there is a BBQ from 11 until 2 at the Home Hardware and a Variety Show in the tent at Dickinson Square starting at 1 p.m. and featuring local talent and the Retrosonics. Doors open Ottawa continues at Watson’s Mill & Dickinson House.

Dickinson Days is organized and produced by the Kiwanis Club of Manotick but it’s continued success is made possible by the participation and cooperation of the many community minded organizations, businesses and volunteers in Manotick. It is truly a Manotick Village event.

Featured photo – The Annual Kiwanis Club of Manotick Spring cleanup, spearheaded by Kiwanian Neil Usher took place Saturday April 29th. Pictured from left to right are Gary Coulombe, Neil Usher, Ron Menard, Debbie Mulvihill, Rick Coates, Tammy Hulme, Claudette Goodhue, Stephen Horne, Theresa Horne, Brian Bristow, Allan Haan and Margery Toner. (Greg Newton photo)