Remember that perfect, blue sky day last June when the streets of Shelburne came to life with art and entertainers, games, rides and five cent hotdogs? Remember how great it was to see so many neighbours and their kids out for the day just having fun?

That was the day of Doors Open Shelburne and the Heritage Street Festival and Classic Car show.

Everyone who attended seemed to think that it was just what Shelburne needed, and the newly formed Shelburne Festival Committee agrees. The event is scheduled for June 14th this year from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Festival Committee was formed not only to carry on last year's successful event, but do so with fewer layers of administration. Last year's street festival was the combined effort of several committees which needed to report to each other on many decisions. The creation of the new Festival Committee will eliminate much of this 'red tape' allowing for a more efficient development process.

The festival is really a combination of three events: the Street Festival, the Classic Car Show, and Doors Open Shelburne. Doors Open, the inspiration for the larger event, began in Europe in 1984 and has since spread to North America to become a conduit for the great pride community's hold in their history and local flavour. From April to October each year communities across Ontario open the doors of unusual and historical buildings and sites free of charge for public education and viewing pleasure.

This year, more than 40 Ontario communities are planning events similar to Shelburne's.

Doors Open sites, in and around Shelburne, include the Town Hall , Annie Babe House, Emanuel Pontes Art Studio, the Library, Trinity Church, St. Paul's Church, the Royal Canadian Legion, the Agricultural Society & Lorne Masonic Lodge, the Curling Club, Beslea Farms, the Shelburne Cemetery and an Historic Homes Walking Tour.

The Giant Tiger Train will provide shuttle service to the Doors Open sites within Town, and a Horse and Wagon will provide rides to Beslea Farms.

The Classic Car Show will feature Dash Plaques, Peoples' Choice Award and door prizes.

Live stage entertainment includes the band Freedom Train, children's entertainer Eric Nagler, and singer Chris Johnston. On the street level, families will be entertained by professional Magician Steve Baker and seasoned Juggler Circus Jonathan.

Jack Downing Park will feature "Art in the Park" with local artists and students displaying their work; even the sidewalk will be busy with local chalk artists.

Festival committee member Kimberly Evans says the committee is hard at work on a number of other events for the festival which will be released when confirmed. Festival Members include: John Telfer, Teresa Feallock, Lynda Buffett, Bob Carruthers, Alex Sawyer, Andrew Lewis, Ralph Evans, Mark Reeves, Doug Baumken, Al Widbur, Shawnette Crouse, Geoff Dunlop, Greg Holmes, Brent Eby, Kirk Henry and Kimberly Evans. They invite anyone who has suggestions or ideas to share to contact the Festival Committee.

Local businesses will be given the opportunity to sponsor the popular event and volunteers are being sought to participate by hosting a contest or lending a hand with one of the many activities. To sponsor, volunteer or give suggestions call the Town Hall at 925-2600 or Kimberly Evans at 519- 925-0980.

Mark June 14th on your calendar for the whole family, because sunny, blue skies or not, it promises to be, yet again, one of the best days of the year for Shelburne.