Make sure you check the calendar before trying to drive through town in the coming months.
Based on a report from Tasha Bain, leisure events and marketing supervisor, committee of the whole recommended Feb. 6 that council approve a handful of road closures throughout the year for seven different community events.
Those events and closures are scheduled to include:
Our Lady of Fatima Candle Light Vigil
Saturday, May 11, from 8-9 p.m.
- Church Street, from Holy Martyrs of Japan Church to Hurd Street
- Hurd Street, from Church Street to Essa Street
- Essa Street, from Hurd Street to Holy Martyrs of Japan Church
Our Lady of Fatima Procession
Sunday, May 12, from 2-4 p.m.
- Church Street, from Holy Martyrs of Japan Church to Fletcher Street
- Fletcher Street, from Church Street to Barrie Street
- Barrie Street, from Fletcher Street to Queen Street
- Queen Street, from Barrie Street to Church Street
- Church Street, from Queen Street to Holy Martyrs of Japan Church
100th Anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF)
Friday, June 14, from 9 a.m. to noon
- Holland Street, from Collings Avenue to West Park Avenue
BWG Canada Day Celebrations
Monday, July 1, from 8:30-10:30 p.m.
- Marshview Boulevard, from Holland Street to Simcoe Road
- Morris Road, from Marshview Boulevard to Walker Avenue
Bradford West Gwillimbury Carrot Fest
Friday, Aug. 16, from 11 a.m. until Saturday, Aug. 17 at 6 a.m.
- Holland Street, from Holland Court to Nelson Street
- Barrie Street, from John Street to Holland Street
- Simcoe Road, from Holland Street to Mary Street (Centre Street)
Saturday, Aug. 17, from 6 a.m. until Sunday, Aug. 18 at 3 a.m.
- Holland Street, from Holland Court to Colbourne Street
- Barrie Street, from John Street to Holland Street
- Simcoe Road, from Holland Street to Mary Street (Centre Street)
Bradford Legion Remembrance Day Parade
Sunday, Nov. 10, from 12:30-2:30 p.m.
- Collings Avenue, from Maplegrove Avenue to Holland Street
- Holland Street, from Toronto Street to Bingham Street
- Bingham Street, from Holland Street to Back Street
- Back Street, from Bingham Street to the Bradford Legion
Bradford West Gwillimbury Santa Claus Parade
Nov. 16, starting at 3 p.m.
- Professor Day Drive (southbound lanes), from Northgate Drive to Holland Street
From 5:30-8:30 p.m.
- Professor Day Drive, from Northgate Drive to Holland Street
- Holland Street, from Professor Day Drive to Simcoe Road
- Simcoe Road, from Holland Street to Edward Street
While most events occur yearly, the 100th anniversary of the RCAF is a one-time experience which was initially proposed during the budget deliberations, when Mayor James Leduc took it upon himself to find sponsorship to cover the $50,000 cost.
Since then the mayor has established a committee, chaired by Ward 6 Coun. Nickolas Harper, to help plan the event, which is expected to include flyovers from military planes — possibly even the Snowbirds — and potentially a helicopter landing near the Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library.
An event is planned for Saturday, June 15 on Canadian Forces Base Borden, and the town is working with them to try to have the practice runs fly over Bradford.
Other attractions in town could include a parade, ceremony and two flight simulators at the library, which might also display some large banners featuring images by Bradford resident, retired Lt.-Col. Ferguson Mobbs, who photographed almost two dozen different uniforms and flight suits from 1924 to modern day to celebrate the anniversary.
In response to questions from Ward 5 Coun. Joseph Giordano Tuesday evening, Harper confirmed the committee is working with local schools in the hopes that students will be able to enjoy the festivities that Friday.
“We definitely feel that this is one of those historic moments — you only become 100 once,” he said, praising the importance of the RCAF to Canada’s military and peace-keeping operations.
The mayor expects the committee to report back to council at a later date once the “finer details” have been determined.
Recommendations from committee of the whole are considered for approval at the next regular meeting of council.
