Harvest dinners have long been a tradition in rural communities in Ontario, especially in agricultural areas.
The dinners brought together farming families, to celebrate another harvest and give thanks for the bounty of the year.
The tradition carries on in two rural elementary schools in Bradford West Gwillimbury, where farming families and rural residents haven’t forgotten their agricultural roots.
Both Hon. Earl Rowe Public School and Sir William Osler P.S. held their Harvest Lunches on Friday, Oct. 11, just before Thanksgiving – dinners cooked up by parent volunteers and classes in the schools, and served by volunteers to the whole school community.
At Hon. Earle Rowe, kids brought their own plates and cutlery to enjoy the lunch of turkey with all the trimmings – gravy, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, corn, stuffing, rolls and dessert – served up in the gym, decorated for Thanksgiving.
“It’s a wonderful tradition,” said Principal Christopher Kemp, who wore a turkey hat for the occasion.
There was a similar menu over at Sir William Osler, where older students helped the Kindergarten classes load their plates with turkey, mashed potatoes, carrots, mixed vegetables, and gravy, and sit down to eat in a decorated gym.
“It is wonderful,” said SWOPS principal Akram Shehata. “It’s a nice kick-off to the Thanksgiving weekend.”
