Small town, big weekend

There's something about being up here on a long weekend.

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My cottage on Stewart Lake is near a year-round, working town, MacTier. What do I mean by year-round, working town? Well, the people who live in the town are the ones who build your deck, shovel your roof, clean your cottage for the renters you have up for the season. They bail you out when your hot water tank craps out. They provide programs at the library for the kids on a rainy summer day.

I know I've said it before, but I'll say it again. What differentiates this community from others on the Big Lakes™ in Muskoka (Lake Muskoka, Lake Joseph, Lake Rosseau,) is that the townsfolk and the cottagers together make up the community. Every August long weekend – Civic Holiday, or Simcoe Day, take your pick – it is the perfect mash-up. Even in a crazy, rainy, grey, stormy weekend, everyone had a blast. The volleyball tournament and the horseshoe tournament went ahead as planned, as the participants braved the rain. However, the bouncy houses for the kids moved indoors.

Bouncy game for children

A local hero got a park dedicated to her.

Park with sign and flags

A member of Canada's Parliament showed up for the spaghetti dinner.

Three smiling men and a guitar

We even asked him to join the band for a couple of songs.

Rock band with men and women and guitars

Though the choppy waves kept a few swimmers away this year, there were four hearty Stewart Lakers who made the mile swim. The famous Mrs. C. hung out with these heroes.

Four swimmer and a trophy

Our favourite volunteers, Clare and Muffy, patrolled the lake to keep the swimmers safe.

woman and dog on a motorboat on a lake

So in spite of the rain, the wind, the broken guitar string, the MacTier Big Weekend was another big success. I dare any of the Big Lakes™ to have as much fun as we do up here!