Ride Don't Hide, Garson Vendor Event & St. John's Cemetery BBQ

It was a chilly one today, but harsh weather has never stopped Sudbury from having a great time! My day started off at the Canadian Mental Health Association’s 4th annual Ride Don’t Hide event. This incredible fundraiser is hosted across the country to raise funds for invaluable mental health services and to eliminate the stigma associated with mental health. While originally intended to focus on cycling, the event has expanded to include a run/walk portion. A variety of courses were available to accommodate all ages and abilities, the most extreme of which was the 50K bike ride! I consider myself a physically fit person, but even the sound of that had me tired. After handing out some prizes from Dairy Queen and Toppers Pizza, I headed over in my 2018 Jeep Compass Sport from Mazzuca Chrysler to the Garson Arena for the Garson Vendor Event.

I am consistently impressed by the amount of talent present in Sudbury, with new businesses and artists seeming to appear daily! The Garson Vendor Event featured a wide variety of products including fresh baked bread, all natural dog treats, jewelry made from cutlery, and hand made leather totes. Discovering new small businesses is one of my favorite things, if only to see the pride an owner has for their product. After adding a few things to my Christmas wish list and handing out free play passes to KUPP indoor play center and KUPP laser tag to a few lucky winners, I scooted down the road to St.John’s Cemetery BBQ fundraiser. There were burgers, hot dogs, cakes, cookies, and refreshments all available for free with a donation to the Maison McCulloch Hospice! I can’t resist a good BBQ, so I grabbed a quick bite before handing out custom printed pet bandannas from Tailblazers as well as some station swag. I had such a lovely time hearing guest’s stories about their connection to the cemetery, the hospice, and/or Garson. This incredible group didn’t let rain stop them from supporting a cause close to their hearts. Can’t wait to see what next week has in store!