We headed out to the JC Community Picnic on Canada Day for the 39th annual picnic at Caledon Place. Even though the forecasted weather was iffy we aren’t fair-weather picnickers. We arrived around 9:45 in the morning, the rain started on our drive up, but had stopped by the time we unpacked the car. As usual Mark brought his dining tent and a large tarp just in case the rain came again.

20160701-D7K_2008

There were lots of picnic tables to be had.

IMG_20160701_101121

It was pretty quiet early on as you can see by the amount of vehicles parked in the background.

20160701-D7K_2009

By the time everyone arrived, it was almost lunch time.

20160701-D7K_2010

20160701-D7K_2012

There were 14 of us this year, seems the threat of rain kept some of us away.

20160701-D7K_2013

After lunch it was time for the races.

20160701-D7K_2016

As you can see the skies cleared although it was a little windy at times.

20160701-D7K_2017

Angela and Claudia  and Darin and Eoin ready for the 16-40 3-legged race.

20160701-D7K_2019

Off and running.

20160701-D7K_2022

Angela and Claudia came in 3rd place, while Darin and Eoin ended up breaking their tie.

20160701-D7K_2025

Next up was the 41+ 3-legged race. Sansei Mark had his own cheering section from some of his students.

20160701-D7K_2029

Carey and I had a slow start.

20160701-D7K_2032

In the end we finished 4th or 5th, Mark and Gaila finished 3rd.

20160701-D7K_2034

There were only 2 teams in the 7-15 geta race.

20160701-D7K_2039

The girls and Dylan were up for the 16+ geta race.

20160701-D7K_2040

20160701-D7K_2041

In the first heat they had competition from Mark, Darin, Orla and Eoin.

20160701-D7K_2043

The girls and Dylan finished 2nd in their heat and moved on to the finals.

20160701-D7K_2049

They didn’t fare as well in the finals.

20160701-D7K_2052

There seemed to be some sort of breakdown.

20160701-D7K_2054

We were trying to figure out how long the geta skis were, Julie offered to lay down next to one, but we thought standing next to them would be easier. Julie is 5 ft and Dylan is over 6ft.

20160701-D7K_2057

20160701-D7K_2059

Next was the shoe kick, here is Angela.

20160701-D7K_2060

Claudia.

20160701-D7K_2062

Dylan placed 4th in his first Shoe Kick event.

20160701-D7K_2063

Darin.

20160701-D7K_2064

Me, Mark and Carey getting ready for the 41-59 shoe kick.

20160701-D7K_2067

Gillian took some photos of my attempt.

20160701-D7K_2068

My shoe up in the air, the wind picked up just as I released my shoe, otherwise it would have went further.

20160701-D7K_2069

Mark.

20160701-D7K_2071

Carey with his 2nd place shoe kick.

20160701-D7K_2072

I placed 3rd, here I am with my prize ( a small bag of Lay’s Salt & Vinegar chips, that’s like 1st place to me).

20160701-D7K_2075

Time for the Saikoro game.

20160701-D7K_2076

I don’t think any of us were in the final group.

20160701-D7K_2077

The water balloon toss.

20160701-D7K_2080

Angela celebrating victory after the Candy Toss.

20160701-D7K_2082

It was onto Bingo!

20160701-D7K_2084

Here is Claudia waiting for her bingo to be checked.

20160701-D7K_2085

Carey was one of the big bingo winners. He won one of the special games and here he is sitting on one of his two Canada chairs.

20160701-D7K_2086

It was a pretty successful bingo for the Tanabe-Uyeda’s, of the 15 regular games we won 6 bingos and Carey’s special game.

20160701-D7K_2087

After dinner they did the Fukubiki draws back at the Bingo Pavillon. Once again the Tanabe-Uyeda’s did well. Of the 34 prizes we won a combined 7 in total (21%). We won 3 including a pair of pearl earrings from Kobo Jewellery. Gaila won 3 prizes including a can of Shoyu and Julie won a prize.

20160701-D7K_2088

Here are the table of prize winners. Unfortunately none of us won the Share the Wealth draw this year. The top prize was $125. It was a great day and we had a good time, good food and good laughs.

20160701-D7K_2091