But Brookfield, with its 2,000 residents, is just that sort of place.
“We’re like a big happy family,” said resident Roseanne Wright, who moved here from North Bay, Ont. 14 years ago.
“We moved here and loved it – that’s why we stayed. And now, we’re bringing our grandchildren into it.”
Wright’s two grandchildren, Rosalie, 3, and Chloe, 12, were in town from Ajax, Ont., to visit family and take in the annual Brookfield homecoming parade, which marched through the town’s Pleasant Valley Road at 11 a.m. Saturday to kick off the week’s festivities.
And what a parade it was.
Hundreds of people lined the street to watch clowns around hang Mardi Gras beads around the necks of young and old alike, a girl walked alongside the 4-H float holding a rooster, children were encouraged to pet a pair of miniature ponies, and kids ran into the street to gobble up candy thrown by just about everybody in the parade.
Many people yelled “Hi Shelia, hi Gracie,” at the pair driving the Brentwood Ponds Senior Care Homes car in the parade with their dog in the backseat.
Chloe Wright was happy to have a break from her hometown in the congested Toronto suburbs for a taste of Maritime country living.
“I find people are nicer here and you can actually breathe the air,” she said.
Just about everybody who lined up along Pleasant Valley Road had the same thing to say about his or her beloved Brookfield.
Velma Fisher moved here from Upper Stewiacke 60 years ago. She sat in the shade with a hat full of candy at her feet, a carnation from the parade in her hand and a group of her friends around her. She echoed the common sentiment when she said it’s “the community spirit” that keeps her in Brookfield.
“A lot of things are always going on,” she said.
“It’s just such a grand community.”
This year’s homecoming theme is, appropriately, “You’re Among Friends” and will be celebrated until July 28 with a variety of activities, such as yoga, hip-hop dance classes, a horse jumping and dog show, art show, golf, a petting zoo and motocross.
On Friday and Saturday night the celebration will culminate with an annual Whing-Ding at 7 p.m. at the Don Henderson Memorial Sportplex parking lot. There will be games and live music featuring Gordon Tucker.
Saturday night it all comes to an end with fireworks at the Saturday night Whing-Ding at the sportsplex at 10:30 p.m.
Visit www.brookfieldnovascotia.ca for the full list of events.
