Events

This year an exciting pairing occurred when the Orillia Museum of Art and History became the official host of the Festival of Banners. The Orillia Museum of Art and History is proud to be a part of this unique festival and is dedicated to helping to make the festival a community success. “Memories of Mariposa” is the theme for this year’s Festival of Banners. Mariposa is the Spanish word for butterfly, but means much more to Orillia. Mariposa is the name Stephen Leacock used for the city in his classic book, Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town. The moniker has stuck with the city and now is part of its collective history of creativity. The chosen designs will be painted at the Orillia Museum of Art and History throughout March and April by the designers themselves, and will hang on the city streets from May to October of 2008. The banners will be sold at a silent auction gala at the Orillia Museum of Art and History at the end of the festival in November, and the proceeds will go to the 2009 festival.

History Speaker Series: Mary Mick "Irish - Palatines: A Little Known Immigrant Group" Wednesday, January 16, 7:30p.m. St. Paul's United Church Ron and Ann Harrison "The Underground Railroad" Wednesday, February 20, 7:30p.m. St. Paul's United Church Bob White "The Haida" Wednesday, March 19, 7:30p.m. St. Paul's United Church Lloyd Johnston "Blacksmithing" Wednesday, April 16, 7:30p.m. St. Paul's United Church Heather Kirk "Mazo de la Roche" Wednesday, May 14, 7:30p.m. St. Paul's United Church