It was standing room only at Sydney’s Remembrance Day ceremony, after a scheduling conflict at Centre 200 moved the service to a much smaller venue.
For the last two years the ceremony was held at the 5,000 seat arena, but the service was changed to the Joan Harris Cruise Pavillion, which seats 1,300, because a Christmas craft fair was also scheduled for Nov. 11.
On Friday, more than 1,300 people filled chairs, lined the walls and stretched through the doors and out into the lobby of the pavillion.
“The most important thing is to have them out of the weather, and the Joan Harris Cruise Pavilion, although not our first choice, was ideal,” says Legion Branch 128 president Stephen McLennan.
Some people stayed at the service only for a short time to pay their respects because there was simply no room, others were turned away.
“It's unfortunate that there isn't the space here though,” says Sydney resident Monika Dutt. “Maybe next time there can be better arrangements, but I think the fact that there's lots of people here is showing your respect.”
Meanwhile, at Centre 200, more than 180 crafters were getting ready for a busy weekend. Organizers say for the first time in the history of the show it will be held on the third weekend of November next year, not to coincide with Remembrance Day.
“We have the utmost respect for veterans and we don't feel anybody should ever question that,” says Cape Breton Home Crafters president Susan MacDonald. “So we don't want this controversy next year, or the year after that.”
McLennan says through all of this he has maintained a good relationship with the city and the crafters.
“If Centre 200 is available I know the veterans would love to go back there, says McLennan. “If it's not, we're going to do the same thing we did this year and make the best of it. We've already booked the Joan Harris just in case.”
Both sides in the controversy are blaming a communication mix up for the conflict.
Next year’s craft show will start on Nov. 17.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Kyle Moore
