Village on the Thames kicks off summer with two festive barbecues

Canada Day and Father's Day events bring residents, families and classic cars together
7/9/2025  - Deron Hamel
Village on the Thames residents are pictured here celebrating Canada's 158th birthday on July 1.  

A busy summer has kicked off at the Village on the Thames, with the Chatham-Kent seniors living community's residents already treated to two major parties – one celebrating Canada Day, the other an event in honour of Father's Day.

Barbecues were at the heart of both celebrations, and they proved to be the perfect way to bring residents, families and team members together, says Diamond Zelina, the Village's fun co-ordinator.

At the Canada Day party on July 1, team members decorated the activity room with Maple Leaf motifs and set tables with red and white tablecloths in honour of Canada's 158th birthday.

Everyone enjoyed both the food and the company, Diamond says.

“The residents enjoyed the party and all the food,” she tells S&R Today. “They love having parties, and I try to have one or two parties a month, so we always have something to celebrate and can have some fun.”

The Canada Day barbecue was the second in three weeks. The first was on June 11, four days ahead of Father's Day. Along with food prepared on the barbecue by team members, there was musical entertainment “to make the day a little more special,” Diamond says.

But the big attraction that day was a classic car show hosted at the Village by Ridge Runners East Kent, a nonprofit car club whose members travel around the region putting their classic hot rods on display.

This was the second Father's Day in a row Village on the Thames hosted a car show, Diamond notes.

“I did this last summer and had to have them back again,” she says. “The residents always have a blast with the car show. It was fun for everyone involved.”

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