People who hear the noise from outdoor parties a few times per year, should console themselves with the knowledge that thousands of people are having a really good time.

There are certain times of year that North Bay as a community celebrates life and one of the ways it is done is with music, dancing, and imbibing some beverages. I don’t know why other people live in the downtown core, but I live downtown in part, to be close to these celebrations. If I lived in a more peaceful neighborhood, the guy with the lawn mower going at 11:00 AM on Saturday morning would be wrecking my peace and quiet. If I chose to live in the land of big back yards, I suppose I would tolerate those who don’t think it impolite to cut the grass before I awake from my monumental slumber. That is what being good neighbors are all about.

Has anyone taken into account that these outdoor parties employ a significant number of people? I know a fair number of people who would miss the money they earn on those weekends. What about people who travel to North Bay on those weekends for a good party? For a lot of people, Heritage Festival isn’t about candy apples and Tilt ‘A Whirls; it is the best party in Northern Ontario every summer. That brings people and money into our community. However, I digress …

If there is going to be a War on Fun in this city, I know what side I’m on. On a few weekends per year, North Bay needs to turn up the volume, and celebrate. Not only should we not be ashamed of having a lot of fun, we should be famous for it.

Tony Loeffen