30th year anniversary of Sydney Toronto Reunion Begins This Weekend Whitney Pier Hundreds of current and former Whitney Pier residents are expected to celebrate the 30th anniversary Sydney Toronto Reunion this week. Provincial African Nova Scotia Affairs Minister Tony Ince and other invited guests including Mayor Cecil Clarke and Coun. Jim MacLeod, Sydney Victoria MP Mark Eyking and newly elected Sydney-Whitney Pier MLA Derek Mombourquette are expected to attend the official opening staring this Saturday, Aug. 1, starting 7 pm at Menelik Hall in Whitney Pier (Located on Laurier Street). The official meet and greet kicks off a week-long celebration that includes African and Mi'kmaq drumming and performances, socials, kids day, the Jonathan Skeet Memorial Fun Run, the St. Phillips Caribbean Day featuring traditional foods, free senior luncheon, community breakfasts, and baseball matches in memory of Sydney first Black policeman Campy Crawford and Whitney Pier resident Gloria Alleyne. New this year, includes a three-on-three basketball tournament on Aug. 5 sponsored by Downtown Nutrition as well as the Winnie Lucas Groove Award in honor of the late Winnie Lucas who was a well known dancer who graced many venues. “There's a lot of activities planned for the week including sport, socials and activities for kids,” said committee member Tera Camus, a life-long resident of Whitney Pier. “The committee has been working for months to prepare and has received support from African Nova Scotia, Destination Cape Breton and the Cape Breton Regional Municipality just to name a few organizations.” The Sydney Toronto Reunion began 30 years when expatriate Cape Bretoners who had moved to Toronto to seek employment found themselves longing to reconnect with people back home. An organizing committee began its work, vowing to host a reunion every five years for former and current residents to gather. Eveyone is invited to take part in the events next week. “Back then, Toronto was the number one place where many Cape Bretoners moved to make a living when times were tough,” Ms. Camus said. “Today, Fort McMurray seems to have taken over as the number one spot where Cape Bretoners go. We can't wait to reconnect with family and friends of Whitney Pier. We're expecting several hundred to attend.” This year's event is expected to receive expatriates from Toronto, Fort McMurray, Halifax and other locations in North America. Most events are free. A full breakdown is as follows: Saturday, August 1st, 2015 7:00pm-9:00pm - Meet & Greet, Opening Ceremony at Menelik Hall 9:00pm - Social at Menelik Hall (All Socials & Dances open to 19 years and over) Sunday, August 2nd, 2015 9:00pm-12:00am - Karaoke Night with Phil Kasouf at Menelik Hall, Prizes! Monday, August 3rd, 2015 9:30am- Annual Jonathan Skeete Memorial Fun Run at Menelik Hall 12pm-4pm- Caribbean Festival, hosted by St. Philip’s AOC in Church Yard, Hankard St. 7:00pm-9:00pm- Street Dance, on Hankard Street, featuring Eddie Parris 10:00pm, Social at Menelik Hall Tuesday, August 4th, 2015 10:00am–2:00pm Kids Day at Menelik Hall 2:00pm - Whitney Pier Historical Society Tour & Tea, 88 Mount Pleasant Street 7:00pm - St. Philip’s AOC Merchandise Bingo at Menelik Hall 9:00pm - Social/Trivia Night at Menelik Hall Wednesday, August 5th, 2015 8:00am-10:30am - Breakfast at Menelik Hall- Full Breakfast $8.00 per person 9:00am- Downtown Nutrition 3 on 3 Basketball Classic, Age 16+, $30 per team, register @ Menelik Hall, sponsored by Downtown Nutrition (downtownnutrition.ca) 7:00pm - Tarabish Tournament, at Menelik Hall - $10.00 per person 10:00pm - Social at Menelik Hall Thursday, August 6th, 2015 11:00am-1:00pm - Senior & Youth Historical Talking Circle at Menelik Hall 1:00pm - Cultural Drumming and Dance Workshop at Menelik Hall, open to all ages 9:00pm - Artie’s Night at Menelik Hall Friday, August 7th, 2015 12noon-4:00pm - Seniors Luncheon & Appreciation Celebration at Menelik Hall (free to seniors 65+) 10:00pm - Motown Night at Menelik Hall, featuring the new Winnie Lucas Groove Award for best male and female dancer, prizes for the best dressed Saturday, August 8th, 2015 8:00am-10:30am - Pancake & Sausage Breakfast at Menelik Hall - $6.00 9:00am-12:00noon - Youth Blue Jay’s Camp/Fun Day, Jonathan Skeete Memorial Baseball Field, Tupper Street 1:00pm - Women's Gloria Alleyne Memorial Baseball Game, Tupper Street 2:00pm - Men’s Campy Crawford/Jonathan Skeete Memorial Baseball Game, Tupper Street 10:00pm - Closing Dance at Menelik Hall, featuring D.J. Lionel Ruck