The Brant Waterways Foundation is currently gearing up for its upcoming annual spring fundraising gala at the Paris Wincey Mills Market and Paris Beer Company on Wednesday, May 15, 2024.
This year, the event will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Grand River being established as a Canadian Heritage River.
Marie Fanjoy, Chair of the gala committee, said that the event helps the Brant Waterways Foundation to fundraise for various projects, recreational opportunities and environmental initiatives throughout the City of Brantford, the County of Brant and Six Nations of the Grand River.
“Our mission here is really to help raise funds for the projects that enhance, restore, and preserve the natural heritage of the Grand River valley in this area, as well as to advocate for natural resources,” said Fanjoy. “This annual event has really become one of our key sources of funds to achieve that work.”
Fanjoy said that for $150 a ticket, guests will be able to enjoy an all-inclusive event and an evening of plenty of fun.
“That price includes all your beer, wine, cocktails and of course food. There’s going to be some vendors from the market providing dishes for the event, as well, Manns Distillery and Vodka Friday will also be in attendance,” she said. “In addition to that we have to raise funds for the organization, so we have a really nice raffle, a silent auction and some special draws.”
The gala committee chair said the event will also feature live entertainment from The Corduroys and a game of “Rivers or Trails” (their version of “Head or Tails”) where attendees can participate to win a basket of wine and spirits.
Ticket holders will also receive a tax receipt for the charitable portion of their ticket.
With already 70 per cent of the tickets sold, Fanjoy said she has no doubt they will sell out soon, hopefully bringing them one step closer to their fundraising goal for the event.
“Last year we raised $37,000, and this year our sponsorships are higher so that helps,” she said. “This year, we’re aiming and hoping for about $45,000 to $50,000.”
She said that overall, her and her team are looking forward to the upcoming event.
“We’re excited,” she said. “It’s just under three weeks out and we still have a lot of work to do, but we have a really, really good committee of about nine of us and so, many hands make for light work, you know?”
Tickets for the event are now available and can be purchased by visiting https://brantwaterways.ca/events/forks-on-the-grand/
Since its establishment in 1988, Brant Waterways has helped to invest over five million dollars into the Brantford-Brant communities, improving walking trails, biking trails, and river access points, as well as waterways restoration projects.
Currently, there are a number of projects are underway with community partners including: D’Aubigny Creek Water Access project and the Ecological Study at Rotary Centennial Waterworks Park with the City of Brantford, Newport Bridge River Access Project with the County of Brant and annual tree plantings organized by the Brant Tree Coalition, a sub-committee of Brant Waterways.
