PAGE g8, WEDNESDAYJULY -27, 1983, WH ITBY FR EE PRESS Cullen Gardiens benefits from'sun BY TIM BAINES COMMUNITY EDITOR Whitby's Cullen Gar- dens is one business benefiting from the hot, sunny weather this summer. Harold ,Black, a spokesman for the Gar- dens, predicts that balf- a-million people will see Whitby's biggest tourist attraction this year. This la significant in- crease over last year's attendance of 300,000. Black credita the' in- crease to the gorgeous weather. "lWe're experiencing solid attendance every day," he said. "In the past, when ie had two or three days of rain, we had to make Up for it on the weekends."' According to Black, moet of the visitors are from west of Toronto, although some Durham Region reaidents corne quite often also. While the lack of ramn bas affected area far- mers, Cullen Gardens is able to battie the scor- ching beat with un- underground sprinkling systema. Two new attractions tluis year are a giant- sized peacock and duck, both covered with numerous flowers. The Inacock spans 10 feet high and 40 feet long with the duck sized at smaller dimensions. The flower birds con- siat of a steel frame, earth, a most covering and the multi-colored flowers. The idea for the birds came from a park in Germany. Another highlight of the Gardens la the pain- stakingly perfect miniature village. The village, designed by Owen Hachey, contains many recognizable Whitby buildings- along witb miniature people,, trains, boats -and other assorted surprises. Another delight ia the miniature amiusement park. This fantasy creation la not represen- tative of any single existing fair, but con- tains elementa of coun- try fairs as well as the buge Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto. Working replicas of such rides'-as the Mon- ster, Ferris Wheel and a Merry-Go-Round, were based on attractions found in the fairs of such local southern Ontario towns as Markham, Oshawa,, Brooklin and Rosene ath. The Flyer, a roller coaster from the CNE is imcredibly dupllcated. Barkers holler out of the games bootha, whlle the miniature crowd eats candy flosa -and takes in the carnival atmosphere. This miniature fair bas been featured at the Gardens for the past three yeara. Cullen Gardena, which itself opened in 1980, la the dream of Len Cullen, a man who bas given s0 much to this community. The Gardens ls con- sidered sucb a valable part of Wbltby, that a crew from the CBC televlaion show, The Journal, spent over two hours at the Gardens along wîth Mayor Bob Attersley, filming a segment for a recently aired show. Over 2.5 million dollars bas been in- vested in the Gardens, which also offers row upon row of flowers, plants and which takes you on a trip through nature. Each day, a live song and dance show, Feelin Good, ia presen-. ted. Already the staff at Cullen Gardens Is plan- ning a Christmas diaplay. Tbey are plan- ning to include a Huronia Christmas scene, a tradltiongl European Christmas scene and elther an Inuit Christmas. scene or'a Dickens^ Christmas Carol display. Cullen Country Barns This la one ride featured la the amazing miniature fair at Cullen Gardens. Photo by Tim Baini A magnificent group of wooden buildings are being completed in Milliken, just north of Agincourt. A tremen- doua white silo towera over three hugh bar- nllke buildings of the Cullen Country Barna, due to open August 31. Len Cullen will over- see the finishing touches of wbat bas been three years of vision, plan- < ning, frustration and Sfinally satisfaction, as Sthe firat phase of bis dream nears com- ~, peltion. Within the air conditioned three floor 4 barn complex, an ex- citing family of shopa, boutiques, restaurants, a theatre, craft learning ts centre and magnificent es garden centre can be -¶ exnerienced. The eyes soar up to Sthe inside pinnacle,' framed by galleries and lofts. Stairs, and rampa supplemented by ýa passenger elevator, blend into an exciting vista of the open.- main stair case ... the heart 0f an exciting attraction. View and enjoy antiques gathered over the years, barnboarda and old brasa lampa, coluntr style furniture and the sounda of the fiddle and banjo, straw bats and festive occasions and events. Ontario's farming community and down home atmosphere al combine to make this attraction one that, will B3e a favourtie in the years to corne. The country kitchen will supply breakfast, lunch and dinner meala to the large restaurant and' banquet rooma. Favourite desserts and ice creama on the patio and Pastry parlour.,..A country store, witb it's pot belly stove. A. craft learming ' centre providing both instruc- tion and local crafts and a beautiful gift sbop facility with -gifts from the fineat artiats and This o-foot-high flower peacock la juat one of many Gardens crafts people in Ontario. Our 'Theatre will produce live shows on a regular basis. and wil show the best and latest of travel films of On- tario, and other provin- ces of Canada. Special events' are planned to coincide wlth special holidays and seasons tbrough the year. The travel trade and public relations depar- tment meet groupa, tours wh o make Cullen Country Barns their tour destination. The Honourable Reuben Baetz, mmnister of Tourism and, Recreation will offically open Cullen Country Barns at il a.m., Wed- nesday Auguat 31. An exciting program of country music and dancing, special, events and quallty sales items at. old time prices on the opening' day, .' and througb the labour day weekend. attractions, at Cullen Photo by Tim Baiïe You are" invited to visit one of Ontario's Favourinte, Attractions.. OVER A HUNDRED 1/l2th scal e model replicas of buildings found ln Southern Ontario ... Churches, homes, farms and business blocks, Inhabited by thousands of 'lIttie people$'.. SCALE COUNTRY FAIR, Ferris Wheeils, Merry go round, and the famous CNE Fiyer.... ail surrounded by acres of valiey gar- dens...beautîfuî fiowers and scuiptured shrubs... SPECIAL ENTERTAINMENT DAILY DAVID SCOTT'S MUSICAL REVIEW "FEELIN GOOD" RESTAURANT * SNACK, BAR e GIFF SHOP Open daily from 9.00 a.m. to 10.00 p-. Cullen Gardens & Miniature Village Taunto'n Rd., WHITBY Ontario Whitby (416) 66 6606 Toronto (416) 294 7965 9 Interested children point out one of the unique buildfing in Culien Gardens' miniatuevilge., Photo by Tim in