It will be a social mixer for the entire community of Watson tonight.
Everyone is invited to attend a meet and greet barbecue at the Civic Centre beginning at 5:30. Citizens will have the chance to meet the town’s council, community clubs and fellow residents.
Free smokies will be available for everyone.
Mayor Bruce Nordick said they’ve been discussing the idea over the last few months as an opportunity for everyone to come together in a friendly and relaxed setting.
“We just thought, that now is a good time, spring is always a great time to introduce new members of our community to existing members and give them a chance to maybe sign up with some community clubs. What better way to bring people out than free food.”
Groups that will be on hand and offering information to the community include the Museum, the student council, the community club, the legion, taekwondo, dance, Quill Plains Centennial Lodge, Quill Plains Health Foundation Centre and Watson Quilt Guild.
Nordick said while they’re proud of the groups the community can offer, there is always a need for more members.
“We’re always looking for more helpers to lend a hand and there’s a lot of different talents available out there, we just need to tap into them, and we thought maybe we have a barbecue to have some of those guys to meet us.”
Along with the smokies, there will be a silver collection for the town’s firehall. Last year, the firehall moved to its new location near McNab Park. Nordick says while the new firehall is a welcome addition, it does come with a hefty price tag, so they’re hoping to collect some donations to keep the facility up and running for many years to come.
Nordick and the rest of the town council will be cooking and serving the smokies to the community and as a lifelong resident, he’s eager to connect some names to the faces in Watson.
“Several decades I’ve been around this area, but honestly, there’s a lot of new faces that come in year after year, and the more familiar names seem to move on, and it would be great to have a location to get to know some of these neighbours of mine.”
The mayor wants to see Watson be a place where everyone knows everyone.
“The more community you have the better chance these people are going to stick around for years to come.”