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Sidney neighbours host miniature Dinner en Rouge after COVID-19 cancellation

Group came together to celebrate Canada Day safely

COVID-19 may have prevented the usual red and white grandeur of Sidney’s Dinner en Rouge, but a small group of locals took it upon themselves to create their own version of the annual Canada Day celebration.

On June 30, Nigel Scott and roughly 20 neighbours hosted a ‘Dinner en Rouge et blanc,’ recreating the annual outdoor dining festivity that typically draws hundreds to Sidney’s Beacon Park every summer.

Scott and his neighbours were dismayed they would miss the familiar summertime event and decided they would host a miniature version on a neighbour’s seaside yard.

READ ALSO: Canadian pride hits Sidney waterfront at Dinner en Rouge

“We have participated in all the Dinner en Rouge events and, while understanding the need to cancel this year’s event, thought we might recreate it on a smaller neighbourhood scale following Dr. Henry’s guidelines of course,” Scott said.

The miniature Dinner en Rouge came with a ‘BYOE’ rule – ‘bring your own everything’ – for guests.

In their best red and white, guests arrived with their own food, plates, cutlery and decor. Tables were marked eight feet apart from one another to maintain physical distancing. The evening kicked off with a heartfelt rendition of ‘O Canada.

“There were prizes for best costume and best-decorated table,” Scott said. “It was a really nice community event. It was a chance to celebrate the country and the neighbourhood, it was very pleasant.”

READ ALSO: Dual rallies take over Legislature lawn on Canada Day


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