I had the opportunity to attend Wendel Clark Day (Oct. 27 East Central Trader) in Kelvington on Oct. 21 and what a neat experience.
Clark made his return to Kelvington where he was honoured with a banner raising ceremony.
The banner was the one, which used to hang from the rafters of the Toronto Maple Leafs’ home arena, the Air Canada Centre (ACC).
It was cool watching it get raised as you could look out into the crowd and see just how happy and proud people were of that moment and of Clark.
Many people in the audience were actually brought to tears by the moment.
During the speeches in the build up to the official banner unveiling, Clark himself gave a speech and was visibly touched by the moment.
Then of course they had an autograph and photo opportunity with the Leafs legend.
It was cool to watch his interactions with children and adults alike as it was generally always the same.
People would walk up to him excited, and Clark gracious with his time would have a brief conversation with those people.
Oftentimes we hear about celebrities who become too big for their britches, and Clark certainly would have reason to given he has his number retired by the Leafs and just recently has his statute added to Legends Row outside the ACC.
Despite all this Clark seemed to remain a humble individual, and by all accounts is still a genuinely nice guy.
Of course also during the day it was announced that Railway Ave., which runs past both the hockey arena and the elevator would be renamed Wendel Clark Way, a fitting nod to his love of farming and hockey.
Watching all of these moments was really cool as it showed that no matter how big he got or how far away from Kelvington he moved, the town never forgot him, and he never forgot the town.
It was an excellent opportunity to them to show that love and appreciation for each other.
And it was cool to see.
Hopefully more communities get opportunities like that in the future.
It is a great way to reconnect.
Of course, it does not hurt that it can also provide young kids with a role model, and a motivator for their future either.
