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10 THE NEW TANNER THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012 Rockwood Farmers' Parade of Lights celebrates 20 years Thursday, December 13, marks the 20th year that area farmers decorate their farm machinery with Christmas lights and parade through the village of Rockwood. "We believe that we were the first lighted night time parade in Ontario," said Walter Swanston, one of the event organizers. He points out that evening parades are now very commonplace, but notes the fact the Rockwood Farmers' Parade is completely non-commercial, with no advertising, keeps it unique. "The first year we had 15 entries," Swanston said. "I was the only traffic control and I stopped , traffic on Highway 7 with a farm equipment dealership's truck with orange rotating lights. Imagine what would happen now if I tried to pull off that stunt!" Swanston credits the long time success of the Parade to the partnerships the Parade committee has with the Township of Guelph-Eramosa and the Rockwood Fire and Police. There are still five of the original farmers participating with floats this year. The organizers boast that each of the 21 entries this year will feature thousands of lights. "If you haven't seen the Parade before, you will be blown away by the show these farmers put on," says Swanston. He says the inspiration for the Parade remains the same as it did the first year. "We wanted to create some awareness for our local agriculture. We also wanted to say thank you to our town neighbours for their understanding of our farm machinery on the roads the rest of the year." The parade starts at 7 p.m., on the north edge of Rockwood, and finishes on the Fourth line of Guelph-Eramosa. More information about the exact parade route can be found on the parade's website www.rockwoodfarmersparade.org PARADE OF LIGHTS: Rockwood area farmers are ready to festoon their farm equipment with Christmas finery for the 20th annual Parade of Lights through the village on December 13. ­ Tanner file photo Township Digest Special event changes If you want to have a bouncy castle or other airsupported structure for a special event on Township property or roads, you will now have to meet new requirements for insurance, Technical Standard and Safety Authority approvals, staffing and permits under amendments approved last Monday by Guelph/Eramosa Township Council to its special event policy. As well, the Building Department must now review and engineer certification for temporary structures like grandstands, bleachers and stages, and there must be an Electrical Standard Authority inspection for extension of utilities. Under the new requirements, applicants must supply site plans to identify the locations of structures, security and parking, and not-forprofit organizations must make requests for in-kind donations of Township equipment and resources. The changes were suggested by staff following an annual review of the special events policy. Emergency preparedness Native awareness training, 50 new two-way radios and an emergency preparedness exercise are highlights of Wellington County's Emergency Management Program in 2012 ­ next year the plan includes staging a field evacuation exercise. In her annual mandatory update to Guelph/Eramosa Township Council last Monday, Wellington's Emergency Manager, Check out our FREE workshops this fall to help improve the health and quality of life of those living in East Wellington Erin: Monday, Dec. 3 ­ 6:30 - 8:30 pm STOP WORRYING Rockwood: Tuesday. Nov. 20, 27, Dec. 4, 11 Erin: Thursday Nov. 22, 29, Dec. 6, 13 ­ 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm CRAVING CHANGE - 4 WEEK SERIES HEART HEALTH NUTRITION Rockwood: Friday Dec 7 ­ Nov. 6 ­ 9:30 am - 11:30 am LIVING WELL WITH DIABETES SESSION 1 Erin: Tuesday Dec. 4 ­ 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm PRE-DIABETES: YOUR CHANCE TO CHANGE THE FUTURE Session 2 Erin: Tuesday Dec. 11 ­ 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm Erin Location: Erin WEllnEss CEntrE - 6 thompson CrEsCEnt Rockwood Location: roCkWood CliniC - 175 AlmA To register please go to www.ewfht.ca and click on workshops or call Leah at 519-833-9396 Ext 362 Linda Dickson said the Township took part in the Huron Challenge exercise which was a "shift change" exercise to make sure there would be an effective exchange of information to relief staff at an Emergency Operation Centre. She said the need for native awareness training was uncovered after the town of Arthur hosted natives who were displaced from their Sandy River homes because of a fire. In 2014, Dickson said the field evacuation exercise would test how long it takes personnel going door-to-door to warn residents. She said a similar exercise was a "bit of an eye-opener" in Guelph and would be good for the Township to go through the exercise. Home Alone Is your child old and/or mature enough to be left alone at home? Do they have the skills/information to be safe? The Red Cross Home Alone program offered at the Rockwood library on December 1, will prepare kids, aged eight to 12, for taking care of themselves while being at home alone. Participants will receive a Red Cross People Savers workbook and wallet card, and are asked to bring a Teddy Bear or doll to practice skills, and a pen and paper. Refreshments will be provided and participants are asked to being a lunch to the workshop, which runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. To register call 519856-4851. Mad Science Workshop Kids aged five to 12 who would like to attend a hands-on workshop full of interactive science activities, cool demonstrations and a fun take home project are invited to register for the Mad Science workshop on Saturday, December 8 at 1 p.m. To register call 519856-4851.