Obviously, our hearts and our best wishes go out to the member from St. Paul’s, to her and her family, and we wish her all the very best.

It’s a pleasure to rise and share a wonderful local event in my riding with the Legislature this morning. Speaker, the Rosy Rhubarb Festival begins this weekend in the lovely town of Shedden, Ontario.

The Rosy Rhubarb Festival was founded over 25 years ago to promote the small-town community of Shedden and raise money for a new community centre. The festival is always held on the second weekend of June, when the rhubarb ripens and is ready to become tasty treats for all to enjoy. To date, the festival has raised over $1.2 million to help support local community initiatives, including a local community centre. These funds have been used to construct a picnic pavilion, purchase playground equipment, and build a new library in the village.

It is enjoyable to see Shedden come together for some good old-fashioned country fun at the start of every summer. Vendors, artisans, food trucks and businesses fill the fairgrounds. All have fun. Rhubarb baking contests, country music, dancing, face painting, petting zoos and a Sunday car show are all part of the festivities. However, the best part is obviously tasting the renowned rhubarb pies and rhubarb sauce with ice cream.

I invite all members of this House, along with your families, to attend the festival this weekend and enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes of southwestern Ontario.