September 30th, 2012– Ford City BIA organized an event in conjunction with Ontario’s Doors Open event celebrating the history, and culture of the Ford City neighbourhood!
The day featured an Artisan Market on Drouillard Road where local artists and businesses could share their work with visitors and the local community.
Doors Open Ontario is an annual event that has picked up momentum since the first Doors Open was held in Toronto in 2000. Historical, cultural and religious sites areopen to the public during this event.
Our Lady of the Rosary Roman Catholic Church on the corner of Riverside Drive and Drouillard Road that currently stands empty and is closed to the public was open to visitors for this event. Visitors got a rare glimpse inside a beautiful historical structure that has a dubious future due to the steep costs of needed repairs.
Throughout the day, at various locations, local performers entertained visitors and neighbours with their musical talent!
Polaris Recording Studio on Drouillard Road set up a small venue next to the studio to showcase local talent.
The event showcased the historically-rich neighbourhood known as Ford City, a part of Windsor known for its working-class roots and dependence on the auto industry.
One featured location that represents a renewed sense of community on Drouillard Road is the Ford City Community Garden(FCCG). FCCG hosted activities throughout the day.
One of the highlighted activities of the day was hosting author JoAnn Thompson in the garden where she read her newbook “Grasshopper on my Shoulder” to children and their families.
Mural-painting was a big part of the day, led by a local street-art artist who worked with kids and families from the community to decorate a wall on the North side of the garden.
Garden founder Steve Green was of course present to coordinate activities and to share the last of the summer harvest with the community for free!
The Ford City area is sometimes referred to in a negative light but events like this certainly paint a different picture. This part of town is a strong, vibrant community full of friendly, creative and talented people, rich, fascinating history and, last but not least, a community full of hope and positive energy in the face of economically trying times!
Find out more about Ford City Neighbourhood Renewal at:
—>>http://fordcityrenewal.blogspot.ca/
Find out more about Doors Open Ontario at their website:
—>>http://www.doorsopenontario.on.ca/
—>>http://www.doorsopenwindsor.com/sites/38/
Find out more about the Polaris Recording Studio on Drouillard Road:
—>>http://www.polarisrecording.com/site/Welcome.html
Find out more about the Ford City Community Garden on the Facebook page:
—>>https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ford-City-Community-Garden/100807536642973
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Thanks to the organizers for having me out to this event! I had a great time taking photos and discovering Ford City in a new light! Thanks to all the participants who made this day such a success…see you next year!
-adam
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