60 years of the Crosby Festival

AS mentioned in last week’s Herald, the Crosby Festival of Music and Dancing is celebrating its 60th anniversary.
In 1948, founder Arthur Johnson sat at a Rotary Community Service Meeting in Gilletts Committee Rooms in South Road.

He suggested to fellow Rotarians that a music festival be held. With help from James Smith & Sons, the music store, the festival was launched at Easter in Waterloo County Secondary School.
Today’s committee is lead by chairman John Hilton and secretary Jenny Green.
And, previously hosted at Waterloo County Secondary School and Alexandra Hall, the festival now takes place at Crosby Civic Hall.

The 60th festival got underway on Monday - the music, verse speaking and drama sections run throughout the week until Saturday when the adult singing section takes to the stage.
From Tuesday, March 25, to Saturday, March 29, the dancing section springs into action.
A selected prize winners concert takes place on Saturday, April 5.