
Media Coverage
Olympia Village targets breast cancer
By Dianne Cornish, REVIEW STAFF
Friday July 6, 2012
Every summer for the past three years, campers and guests at Olympia Village RV and Campground near Rockton gather for a day of fun, which includes getting a close-up view of classic cars and motorbikes, enjoying several live entertainment acts, taking part in a host of draws and raffles, and raising funds for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.
The campground’s annual Car and Bike Show has caught on like wildfire, with its popularity and success astounding its chief organizers, seasonal campers Tamara and Kevin Eady, as well as park owner Paul Galvin.
“Our goal this year was $10,000, but we raised $16,200,” a jubilant Galvin reported. The event has come a long way from its inaugural year when it netted just over $2,000; last year, it raised $6,400.
The Canadian Cancer Society has taken notice and, last year, its Brant-Norfolk Unit recognized the Flamborough campground with an award for its fundraising success. Galvin estimated 1,000 people turned out for this summer’s event on June 16. About three dozen classic cars and an equal number of motorcycles were on display, along with a variety of other wares featured at the close to 20 booths set up on the 4th Concession Road West site for the day.
Entertainment included the female Elvis impersonator troupe, the Graceliners, The Argues, a family band and singing act from the Toronto area and the Queen’s Own Whistlers, an unorthodox group of performers whose bearskin hats come down to their chests with the whistles ostensibly emanating from their belly buttons.
“It was the last hurrah for the Graceliners,” Galvin said, adding that the Brantford area troupe is packing it in after many successful years of fundraising to aid in the fight against cancer. The park owner noted that emotions often run high during the show, as some guests have personally experienced breast cancer or know of someone else afflicted with the disease. “There were lots of tears in the crowd,” he observed.
Plans are already in the works for next year’s show to be held Saturday, June 15. For more information about the fundraiser and the campground visit online at http://www.olympiavillage.ca/
Thursday June 23, 2011
What used to be a 50s and 60s theme day for campers at Olympia Village RV Park and Campground has evolved into a fundraiser for breast cancer featuring a full program of entertainment for campers and the public.
A classic car and motorcycle show will headline this Saturday’s event, which will also feature several live entertainment acts, a penny sale, 50/50 draw, spot dances and hula hoop contest. “A larger, more varied program has been planned for this year,” said park owner Paul Galvin, adding that last year’s inaugural event was &ldwell received,” raising just over $2,000 for breast cancer.
One of the park’s campers is a 10-year breast cancer survivor and she, plus other campers who have had the disease, became the motivation for the fundraiser, said social committee member Tamara Eady. While the major part of the program will run from 3 to 11 p.m., there will be other activities earlier in the day, including breakfast bingo at 10 a.m. and a local Johnny Cash tribute band called Ring of Fire that will perform between noon and 4 p.m. Also appearing on stage in the park’s main pavilion will be inspirational singer Danielle Todd of Guelph, the Queen’s Own Whistlers, female Elvis impersonator troupe, the Graceliners, and Ronnie and the Rockets, at around 7 p.m.
About a dozen male campers have volunteered to put on a special fashion show and collect donations during the afternoon.
Eady’s husband, Kevin, who chairs the social committee, will emcee the shows. Admission at the gate will be $6 per person.
Participants are encouraged to dress in pink and event t-shirts will be sold throughout the day to boost the fundraising efforts.
Olympia Village RV Park and Campground is located at 1161 4th Concession Road West between Westover and Brock roads. More information is available at www.olympiavillage.ca/breastcancerevent.htm