Photo courtesy of CKbranding.comPhoto courtesy of CKbranding.com
Chatham

WAMBO set to return on Thanksgiving weekend

A popular outdoor event is coming back to Wallaceburg after taking a year off because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Organizers announced this week that The Wallaceburg Antique Motor and Boat Outing (WAMBO) is set for Thanksgiving weekend.

In 2020, the event, which usually takes place in August, was cancelled for the first time in its 31 year history due to pandemic restrictions.

WAMBO Chair Bill Wolsing said they're excited to bring the event back and hope it can help lift spirits around the community.

However, like most events during the pandemic, WAMBO will look different this year. According to Wolsing, there will be no refreshment tent or food vendors and many of the other activities that usually take place will not be featured.

Despite those changes, he said there will still be many staples that people can enjoy.

"We're just going to have the car display, a couple of motorcycles and fire trucks and some entertainment, just on the James Street downtown core," said Wolsing.

Wolsing said organizers were apprehensive about hosting the event earlier in the year due to COVID-19 regulations that were still in place by the provincial government, but he added that he's looking forward to making it a fall-time event this time around.

"We're hoping that the people that come home to their families on Thanksgiving weekend, they can spend a couple of hours, browse downtown, support the restaurants and establishments down here and enjoy a day of nice cars," he said.

Although October can come with some unpredictable weather, Wolsing said boaters are still welcome to come dock in the downtown core along the Sydenham River.

WAMBO 2021 takes place on Saturday, October 9, 2021.

The event will feature the final Wallaceburg Farmers' Market of the year from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m.

The time of the WAMBO Classic Car Show and musical entertainment will be announced in the coming weeks.

Read More Local Stories