A plaque had been placed on one of the benches in Séraphin Marion Park, in memory of Isabelle Dagenais a beloved Marionville resident, devoted public health nurse, and active member of the Marionville Citizens Committee, who passed away in July 2025 at the age of 46. Tinkess Photo

MARIONVILLE – The Meet Me on Main Street series of summer events have been successful since their inception five years ago, but in Marionville, it seems, the sense of celebration is just a bit higher.

This year, the event has been moved off the roadway and into Séraphin Marion Park, which is located at 210 Marion St., just east of the community centre. Similar moves have also taken place in most of the other locations as well, providing grassy, shaded areas which are a little more comfortable when the temperatures hover in the high 30’s.

Politically and geographically, Marion is in an interesting position. The community is shared between the Township of North Dundas, the community of Russell, and the City of Ottawa, which usually means when you have an event, you have more than the usual number of political figures who attend. On this evening Mayor Tony Fraser (North Dundas), Mayor Mike Tarnowski (Russell), Glengarry-Prescott-Russell MPP Stephan Serazin, and Carleton MPP George Darouze were in attendance. Ottawa Councillor (Osgoode ward 20) Isabelle Skalski sent her regrets as she was unable to get away from an Ottawa Council meeting.

And there was, of course, Marionville’s “Mayor”, Francois Marion, the President of the Marionville Citizens Committee.

A tradition in Marionville involves the entertainment, which is usually provided by Orleans’ Green Martini, a full featured band which includes a brass section, which guarantees you will hear some of Chicago’s greatest hits.

As the band took its first break of the evening, Francois Marion greeted those in attendance before introducing the various dignitaries.

“It’s a great pleasure to welcome all of you tonight to this great event, “Meet me in the park, Séraphin Marion Park,” said Marion.  “We have a lovely weather. We couldn’t ask for anything better.”

“Thank you for the Township of North Dundas, who’s the main player organizing the event and collaboration with our partners, Township of Russell, City of Ottawa, and the Marionville Citizens Committee. Tonight, we have people coming from all of the place. We have people from Quebec. We have people from Hawkesbury. We have people from Marionville, Embrun, Russell, Orleans, and all over the place.”

The first to speak was North Dundas Mayor Tony Fraser. “Welcome, and a round of applause for Francois for making sure that this happens. It was Francois initially a few years back, who reached out to us, and we said, we need to do this in Marionville. “Fortunately, my colleagues from the Township of Russell, and the City of Ottawa, agree. We are able to celebrate this unique community here in Marionville on a beautiful summer night.

The next to speak was Russell Mayor Mike Tarnowski. “It’s pleasure to be here,” said Tarnowski. “A big round of applause for Green Martini. Fantastic band, our regulars here really appreciate you coming back. Thank you so much to the Marionville Community Group. The residents community group, they work all year to make this happen.”

Carleton MPP George Darouze spoke next. “Thank you for your group and your team. You know, it takes a huge work and effort to put this event together. It’s beautiful. I am happy, I was able to bring the nice weather with me right from Ottawa and from Carlton.

“I want to thank my friend and my colleagues that are here,” continued Darouze. “I want to thank the band, and I want to thank the volunteers, and also, I want to thank the people that are here. Without the resident anticipation and participation, you wouldn’t have an event successful like that. I hope you’re going to have a great evening. I hope you’re going to have an amazing music from all the way from Orleans by Green Martini. And thank you very much. I’m always happy to be here and support Marionville.”

Stéphane Sarrazin was the last to speak, and while most of his address was in French, he did express his gratitude for the invitation. “ Thank you so much for the invitation and have fun everyone.”

With the introductions and welcomes out of the way, it was time to get down to the business of having fun, and the new location seemed to have a positive effect on that. There were approximately 300 in attendance, and they had many things to keep them busy. On hand for food were Simply Baked, Country Kitchen, Iron Forge (Embrun), and The Big Bite Bistro.

If you wanted an adult beverage, you had Windmill Brewing, Kemptville Brewing, and Kings Lock Distillery ready to serve.

Several local organizations also had information tents set up, including the Township of North Dundas, who could check to make sure you were registered in advance of the fall municipal elections.

At the south end of the park, where the playground equipment is located, a sign was placed indicating that no alcoholic beverages were permitted, and many parents were enjoying the area, still well within the sound of the band and close enough to still feel a part of the celebration.

The area was also where a plaque had been placed on one of the benches, in memory of Isabelle Dagenais a beloved Marionville resident, devoted public health nurse, and active member of the Marionville Citizens Committee, who passed away in July 2025 at the age of 46. The plaque was placed to honour her deep commitment to the community, and to celebrate her generous spirit and lasting legacy, once again displaying how Marionville remembers the past, enjoys the present and prepares for the future of its residents.