Port Perry celebrates 150 years

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Published June 10, 2021 at 5:44 pm

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Port Perry celebrated their sesquicentennial Wednesday afternoon with a flag unveiling, drumming and smudging by the local Mississauga First Nation band and an in-costume appearance from Mrs. Bigelow herself, the wife of the village’s first Reeve. 

The celebration got underway at 2 p.m. with an Opening Cry from Town Cryer Bill McKee and the smudging ceremony by Chief Kelly LaRocca of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation. Video presentations were heard from several politicians, as well as an in-person address by Regional Councillor Wilma Wotten, who chairs the Celebration Committee, before an appearance by Bev Brown (in period costume), who is a direct descendant of the village’s first Reeve, Joseph Bigelow.

The unveiling of the sesquicentennial flag, designed by local resident Rebecca Raines, followed.

‘Port Perry 150’ items, such pins, mugs and other swag, will be available at the Port Perry famer’s market through the summer. Any profit from merchandise sales will go to the Port Perry Hospital Foundation for the purchase of a new CT Scanner.

The event was broadcast on local cable, with re-broadcasts on Rogers (as well as YouTube) expected until September.

Port Perry was founded by Peter Perry in 1848 and named for him four years later, with Bigelow installed as the first Postmaster.

Bigelow was elected as the first Reeve of Port Perry shortly after its incorporation in 1871.

Port Perry merged with a few neighbouring communities around Lake Scugog to form the Town of Scugog in 1974.

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