Ib Fynbo named `Citizen of the Year' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . See NEWS Page 3 Furry and friendly Fun Fest winners . . . . . . . . . . . See COMMUNITY Page 8 Tatomir brings Stanley Cup to Essex. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . See SPORTS Page 15 $1.00 "Serving Essex and Community Since 1896" (GST included) Whole Number 6194 Registration No. 08565 Volume 127 No. 28 Phone: 776-4268 Fax: 776-4014 723-2290 · ESSEX Wednesday, July 12, 2006 http://essexfreepress.reinvented.net Essex puts the `fun' in Fun Fest The Essex Fun Fest whimpered to a close Sunday night as the fireworks were delayed one week due to high winds. But this unexpected development didn't detract from the overall success of the weekend. With pleasant weather and sunny skies, the Fun Fest witnessed several firsts the first mechanical bull competition in support of the arena project, the first Mardi Gras parade to hit the streets of Essex, and the first visit to town of the world-famous Stanley Cup. Free Press staff worked hard over the weekend to capture the essence of the Essex Fun Fest for our readers. In this issue, you will find stories on the Prince and Princess Pageant (below), the Youth Talent Search (below), the Stanley Cup's arrival (page 15), and the Pet Show (page 8). You will also find a large selection of photographs depicting some of the weekend's highlights on pages 12-14. And, for more candid photos, please visit our website at http://essexfreepress.reinvented. net. And, just a reminder ... the fireworks will be held Sunday, July 16 at 10 p.m. at the arena fairgrounds. The "Paratrooper" spins as festival goers line up at the midway during the Essex Fun Fest. Fun Fest Chairman Morley Bowman says about 30,000 people took in this past weekend's Fun Fest activities. Talent show finalists selected for Western Fair BY SARAH FISHER A crowd of parents, friends and onlookers watched the Youth and Junior Talent Show on the last day of the 2006 ssex FunFest July 9 as if it were an episode of Canadian dol. SEE YOUTH TALENT SEARCH, 2 Fun Fest prince, princess named BY MARIAH VIZI Ten contestants stood in front of an audience and performed for the title of Prince and Princess of the 2006 Fun Fest July 6 at the arena fairgrounds. Cole Hennessy and Summer Ellis were named the Prince and Princess by judges Liz Arkinstall, Carlene Frimer, Bill Gay and Marlene Markham. The talent part of the competition began with nine-yearold Marcel Mallette telling jokes. Seven-year-old Riley Gagnon followed Mallette by To Register call Young Drivers® 519.250.8611 Visit Us At www.youngdrivers.com. Learn more and enroll on-line. Ask about Drive FitTM 12 Hours More Training Included COURSES STARTING Young Drivers® The Driver Training Course Everybody Is Talking About LEAMINGTON CLASSROOM JULY 31 SPECIAL DAYTIME COURSE · 4 DAYS AUGUST 14 SPECIAL DAYTIME COURSE · 4 DAYS singing I've Been Working in my Classroom. Jadyn Ryan, four, danced to All That Jazz. Other performances included a rendition of the Good Ship Lollypop by Sabrina Cipkar. Six-year-old Charles Bowyer danced to Everybody by the Backstreet Boys. Eight-year-old Emma Conley tested her piano skills by playing My Favourite Things. Six-year-old Kayla Parussini sang the Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round. Nine-year-old Nicole Drouillard gave a dance performance to Two Worlds. SEE PRINCE, PRINCESS, 2 Leamington/Essex/Windsor AWARD WINNING CENTRE Centre Director, Mary Barraco ESSEX CLASSROOM JULY 18 SPECIAL DAYTIME COURSE · 4 DAYS AUGUST 21 SPECIAL DAYTIME COURSE · 4 DAYS Ask About Our Free Co-Drivers Session Offered Wednesday, July 19th or Tuesday, August 22nd