07/01/2020
Canada Day 2020 - what a strange day. For the first time in 21 years we are not setup with our inflatables at any public event. This is the one day in the year that takes about 3 weeks of preparation and planning. Bookings for this day start to come in February and we get requests from right up to a few days before Canada Day. We normally have 10 to 12 events to cater to on July 1st from up North to Moonbeam to down South to Temagami and all places in between along the Highway 11 corridor. We follow Highway 66 from it's end in Matachewan to just before the Quebec border which includes the Towns of Matachewan, Kirkland Lake, Larder Lake and Virginiatown. Sometimes we are in Timmins and Chapleau and we also are in New Liskeard and Cobalt. To fill in the gaps we can be found a the Wahgoshig First Nation and in Iroquois Falls. We are true to our motto - we are the Source in the North for Inflatable Fun. We need to move and setup 30 to 40 inflatables in a single day. As noted it requires planning and routing. I need to beg, steal and borrow extra vehicles, trailers, generators and other equipment. We already deliver equipment on the day before to certain locations to ease the burden on Canada Day itself. At same time we need to find attendants and utilize all our trained staff. This is generally the biggest headache which has not gone as smoothly one would hope. It is a day that I am constantly on my phone coordinating all the sites while taking care of 3 to 4 of them myself. It a day that I am proud of my family who all pitch in so that good old dad doesn't become a total wreck. I couldn't do it without them. And then there is the one factor that makes or breaks the day - the weather. In the first ten years we had only one Canada Day without rain. We had also had snow and thunderstorms to deal with. In the later ten years we have had mostly good weather or rain on and off so that the show could go on. Many events were flexible enough to move indoors. It is a good thing I am already bald or otherwise I would had to rue the loss of my hair due to dealing with this stress every year. Talking about weather, of course, this year it is a Sunny and hot Canada Day without chance of rain - go figure? Of course, every Canada Day follows with the cleanup of the many said inflatables and the return of staff and borrowed vehicles and equipment. Fortunately this has always gone well with the exception of a few hiccups with vehicles. I have always, despite setbacks and f...-ups, felt blessed to have my family, many friends and excellent clients to work with and make Canada Day a success. Fate is a funny thing. Now that we are off on Canada Day for the first time in 21 years we have nowhere to go, no event to visit or enjoy. Currently I am suffering from a debilitating hip flexor muscle tear that limits my mobility and the ability to work. So for me it is good to have today off and to relax in the backyard with my family with some yummy BBQ and cold beers. I hope that we don't have to repeat this in 2021 which should be my last at the helm of AB Promotion & Development. Wishing you all a HAPPY CANADA DAY. Alex & Bernadette Vanderburg and family.
