Daijiworld Media Network – Mississauga (SP)

Mississauga, Jun 23: ‘Rain, Rain go away!  Come again another day!’ was the fervent prayer of the hopeful souls participating in the Annual Day Out organized by Mangalorean Association of Canada (MAC) on June 20, 2009 at the Meadowvale Conservation Park, Mississauga. The prayer aside, neither the rain nor the gloomy weather forecast could dampen the spirits of the huge crowd that was ready to start the summer with an outing. 

With the blow of a whistle and the blaring megaphone announcements and lively music by Joyson D’Souza, the festivities began with a Hula Hoop game for kids under 12.  As the kids passed the Hula Hoop merrily, a throng of people cheered them on.  With happy smiles and eager hands, the children accepted the candy bars and gifts.  The star attraction was the Bouncing Inflatable, a Blue Castle that kept the children enthralled as they bounced and hopped, giggled and laughed while playing in it.  The three-legged race tested the agility and balance of the teenagers who hopped, straggled or ran towards the finish line.  Not to be outdone, the adults participated wholeheartedly and there were some grand and embarrassing moments as the participants tumbled, slipped and ran the race of their lives. 

Next on the line were the Lemon and Spoon Race and the Gunny Sack race for the children, teens and the young adults. Not everyone was a winner, but they scored high in terms of sportsmanship. While the participants bravely tried not to lose their balance and dignity in the Gunny Sack Race, the cheering squad encouraged every participant to pick themselves up and finish the race. The seniors were not to be left out and they showed their enthusiasm and mettle in the Balance the Book game. 

Even after the skies darkened and the skies opened up, the fire inside the men, women and children could not be quenched.  The Water Balloon Throw, which is one of the most popular games being organized here, was the next on the agenda.  As the line up was formed, participants coached their partners in throwing and catching techniques.  With much yelling and screaming and at the blow of the whistle, the balloons broke and drenched the unfortunate but the lucky winners were the ones who were able to successfully catch the water balloons without breaking them. 

The main focus of the event was to bring the community together, make new friends and have fun in a family setting. In every game, there are winners and losers, but at the MAC’s Day Out, there were no losing teams.  The volley ball and throw ball games created immense interest and brought out the competitive spirit among the men and women.  People rolled up their sleeves and prepared to play a spirited and aggressive yet enjoyable game of throw ball and volleyball.  The slithering grounds only made the Tug Of War contest even more enjoyable.  Men and women, children and teens did not hesitate to form teams and in a show of unity, heaved themselves to victory and pushed the other team to defeat. The men flexed their muscles and demonstrated their killer instincts and winning edge, while the women, not to be outdone, gritted their teeth, rolled up their sleeves and showed their mettle and tenacity.  When the gauntlet was thrown, the challenge was accepted – men against women in a test of strength, strategy and numbers.  The result: the women proved they rule the roost, as they literally pulled the ground from under the feet of the men.

Lunch was a delicious medley of dishes, as the participating families brought a dish each to the potluck.  With a prayer, lunch commenced, satiating the hungry and thirsty crowd.  Bingo provided respite from the hectic fun and a time to relax and sit.  Monetary prizes were awarded to the delight of the crowd and the winners walked away with a tidy amount.  Tea and cookies were served, courtesy the MAC, with some families providing cake in a special celebration on the occasion of Father’s Day. 

Thanks to the generous sponsors, MAC could organize the day out in a fitting manner.  The sponsors were Reynold Sequeira, salesperson for Re/Max Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage,   Ronald Mathias of Re/Max Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage and Ronald Fernandes, vice president of MAC.  Joyson D’Souza who provided scintillating music and Reynold Sequeira who conducted games and bingo ably, contributed immensely to the success of the Annual Day Out.

As the sun set and the evening came to an end, people folded their umbrellas, packed their belongings and left – tired but content, smiling and happy to mingle with their old friends, share a gossip or two or just relax with fellow Mangaloreans.  MAC was tremendously successful in its objective – to bring the Mangalorean community together, provide a venue to meet and mingle and offer opportunities for the youth to have a day of fun and yet show initiative and leadership.