It was like a reunion at Cooks Bay Marina on Sunday.
Jack Hayward, founder of Gilford’s Jakestock music festival, invited friends and neighbours to a potluck fundraiser and evening of live music, on the grounds of the marina.
There was Glen Celsie of the Johnny Panic Band, Tony Dunning of Steel River band, and Johnny Panic himself.
“We have 50 years together,” said Hayward of Panic. “We produced records and made records; Johnny had his own sound studio.”
Hayward booked the bands through his Jake Bunny Music company, so named “because I lived on Rabbit Lane in Etobicoke.”
And he started Jakestock back in 1989 – both as a way to raise funds for a variety of charities that included Multiple Sclerosis Canada and Heart & Stroke, and to bring the Gilford community together.
It was, he said, “a day of celebrating friendships, helping the community, and highlighting talents.”
Seven years ago, Jakestock started raising money for the Gilford Community Hall – the last community-owned and operated hall in Ontario, that was struggling to meet its bills.
Hayward eventually turned Jakestock over to the hall board to run as an annual fundraiser, although he continued to support the event through his musical connections. But this year, at the urging of friends and neighbours, he decided to get back to his roots.
While Jakestock went ahead at the Gilford Hall on Sept. 1, Hayward organized Breast Fest at Cooks Bay Marina, in support of the Kelly Shires Breast Cancer Snow Run.
“Kelly Shires was 34 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer,” said Pam de Boer, a director of the Snow Run and charity.
Shires discovered, through her own battle, that for those who were self-employed or without benefits, the cost of treatment could be devastating. She helped organize an annual all-female snowmobile ride, to provide financial assistance to women battling breast cancer.
“They don’t have a plan at work, or they’re on their own,” said de Boer. “We’re very proud to be able to support them in their battle.” And although Shires passed away after an eight year fight with the disease, the charity has continued.
Over 80 cents out of every dollar raised goes directly to help the women. “Everybody’s a volunteer, except for one part-time employee,” de Boer explained. “We had over 700 applicants last year that we helped.”
It’s not the first time that Hayward has fundraised for the Snow Run; it was one of the many charities that Jakestock has supported over the years.
So when Hayward decided to hold a festival of his own this year, he contacted de Boer, a former Gilford neighbour.
“Jack asked if it could be done on behalf of the Kelly Shires Snow Run, and we were delighted,” she said – and thankful. “The new owners of Cooks Bay Marina have been very supportive,” she added.
Breast Fest featured the music of The Scoundrelz, a Cookstown group, and the “Jakestock House Band” – a band made up of members of the Steel River Band, Johnny Panic Band, and The Diehards, the group that came up with Go Leafs Go.
“We just put them together yesterday,” said Hayward. “They’ve only practiced once.”
It was in keeping with the tradition of a casual day of music and friendship. The event was a potluck, but long-time Jakestock chef Russ Evans was also on hand, barbecuing burgers, sausages and pork tenderloin, marinated in his special recipe – olive oil, Montreal steak spice, and “lots of garlic.”
Local families could walk to the all-ages festival, bringing their own lawn chairs and a dish for the potluck. They stayed to chat, listen to the music, and donate to the cause.
Hayward was asked if Breast Fest was the start of a new tradition in Gilford. “I’d like to see it ongoing,” he said, bringing music and activity to the area.
