Celebrating All Things “Guelph” This Weekend!
Join the party!
Bring the whole family to Guelph’s favourite gathering place for a day of activities, entertainment, local food and more!
Saturday, August 1st at 10am
- Interactive entertainment featuring Envirodrum
- Guelph Storm Hockey Tunnel
- Face painting with Cleo the Clown and her Painting Pals
- “Tread On It” interactive t-shirt printing
- Children’s Games & Crafts
- City of Guelph Water Wagon onsite
- Water feature open for playing, strolling or splashing
- Wilson Street Promenade pop-up project
#JGD2015
About John Galt
John Galt was a prominent Scottish novelist who founded Guelph in 1827. As the superintendent of The Canada Company, a large land company in London, England, he conceived the idea of building a town to stimulate and direct the agricultural settlement of the area. Galt planned the community with its distinctive radial design, quite different than the gridiron plan of most cities, making Guelph a unique and special place.
8th Annual Kirking John Galt Day Sunday Celebration
161 Norfolk Street
Guelph ON N1H 4J7
In celebration of John Galt Day, the Old Stone Churches and the Guelph Historical Society, are hosting the Eighth Annual John Galt Sunday Kirking.
“Kirking” is a Scottish ceremonial parade of dignitaries led by a piper as a prelude to a civic church service. The service recognizes the contribution of local leaders, expresses hope for their wisdom, and shows appreciation for their dedication to the local community. This ceremony was practised in John Galt’s Irvine, Scotland at the time of Guelph’s founding in 1827.
Civic leaders from many faiths, cultures and volunteer organizations will be “kirked” at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church at 161 Norfolk Street. The procession begins at 10:15 a.m. from the church hall via north door on Suffolk Street. We invite you and a guest to join in the fellowship as Rev. John Borthwick and the congregation of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church host the ecumenical service in this 100th Anniversary year of the writing of In Flanders Fields written by John McCrae who, with his family, worshipped here every Sunday at both services. A lemonade reception will follow the service.
As part of the John Galt Day celebrations, we encourage donations of non-perishable food items for distribution to Sister Christine’s Welcome In Drop-in Centre and the Chalmers Community Services Centre. Both charities are supported by the ecumenical group known as CORE (Guelph Churches’ Outreach). Donations will be accepted at all of the “stone churches” and at St. Andrew’s on the Kirking day. Please donate as the need in the summer is great.
Participants are welcome to wear tartan.
