The streets of Minden will once again be decorated with hand painted banners after artists responded enthusiastically to a revival of the Festival of Banners project.

The project which invites artists to paint designs onto banners that line Bobcaygeon Road was originally initiated by a group of volunteers about a decade ago but the committee disbanded in 2016. Minden resident Sue Tiffin volunteered to help organize the project to ensure its continuity and working with the township was able to acquire a grant for $3500 through the Community Fund for Canada’s 150th which the township will match to relaunch the project.

Sixteen large banners and 20 small banners were painted by residents including ASES students homeschoolers cottagers and artists who submitted designs representing the 2017 theme Canada 150. Banner installation has been temporarily delayed due to the town’s state of emergency but once in place banners will hang until after Thanksgiving.

“Seeing everyone work on their artwork has been especially rewarding” said Tiffin. “The artists – regardless if they’re in Grade 3 or a touch older have put so much care and time and pride into their work and into brightening up the village.”
Interpretations of the theme range from wildlife to architecture to immigration and culture. Small banners will be returned to the students who painted them while larger banners will be auctioned to purchase materials for next year’s festival.

Tiffin credited veteran banner painters including Sharon Lawrence and Sharon Luke as well as a group of volunteers namely Pat and Jack Brezina Nadine Papp Chris Hanson and Hendrika Sonnenberg Michele Coneybeare Jane Austin and Anne Grant as well as township staff Laurie Carmount Ruth O’Connell and Elisha Weiss who she said helped tremendously in pulling all the parts together to make the festival happen this year.

Submitted