NEWS RELEASE
TOWNSHIP OF JOHNSON
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DESBARATS - The Township of Johnson is gearing up for Summer with some new and not so new programs and events. An Introduction to Highland Dance Program, for youth and adults, will be offered on Wednesday evenings starting on July 4 and going for 8 weeks to August 22.
Registration forms were distributed through area schools. Forms and information are also available at johnsontownship.ca. Local resident, Emma Robinson, who got her start many years ago in the Johnson Township Highland Dance program, is the Scottish Dance Teachers Alliance-accredited instructor.
As well, the annual Child Summer Swim Program, a joint program by Johnson Township with the Towns of Bruce Mines and Thessalon and the Townships of Plummer Add’l and St. Joseph, is open for registration. Registration forms were distributed through area schools but more information can be acquired through participating municipal offices.
This program takes children ages 4-12 by bus from across the North Shore for swimming lessons at the John Rhodes Pool in Sault Ste Marie from Aug. 7 to 17. The children spend an hour afterwards, under supervision, at Bellevue Park, for lunch and play time. Registration deadline for this program is June 29.
Desbarats Community Night, organized by the Johnson Township Recreation Committee and Recreation Coordinator, and supported by the Desbarats Women’s Institute, the Gordon Lake Social Club, the Johnson Farmers’ Market, and a host of volunteers, occurs on Saturday, July 14.
The theme this year is “Cartoon Characters” and there are cash prizes for entries in 16 float and four costumed-walker categories, including the $150 Erling Lagerholm award for best themed-float, $75 for second prize.
The Sault Ste. Marie Pipe Band and the Blue Saints Drum and Bugle Corps will be in the parade, which sets up at 6pm and kicks off at 7pm. The food and pie booths open at the Johnson Township Community Centre in Desbarats at 4:30 p.m. and there will be live music in the Arena by the pie booth at this time.
After the parade, the parade bands will give mini-concerts and music, Kiddieland, cash games-of-skill, and the food booths will all be happening in and around the JTCC Arena. Some new games will be on offer this year from Celebrate your Day your Way Party and Play Centre and plans are under way to have a Dunking Booth.
Proceeds from the Desbarats Community Night go to support Johnson Township Recreation Programs and Events. Hope to see everyone reconnect in the summer and join us for this awesome community event.
And don’t forget the Reg McHale Memorial Big Pike Fishing Derby, Saturday, June 23, organized by Johnson Recreation and Fire Department, which occurs all day until 3 p.m., with prizes and a BBQ.
More information for this and for all Johnson Township events and programs is available on-line at www.johnsontownship.ca or by calling the Recreation Office at 705 782 6601, ext 1205.
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