Like many of you, I have fond memories of Boblo as a youth. The “Wild Mouse” with my brother Tom. The Boblo boat cruise with a teenage crush. Unlike many, I missed working at the island’s amusement park. And then, fourteen years ago the siren call of Boblo drew me back to the community. First, Colleen and I built a home on the island, and then we started creating new retail shops in Amherstburg. The River Bookshop was our first one! But we’re not done yet.
I was always familiar with the island’s 100-year amusement-park history, like its involvement in the Upper Canada rebellion and being a safe landing for Indigenous peoples and Freedom Seekers. But I never knew the story of civil rights pioneer Sarah Elizabeth Ray, Detroit’s other Rosa Parks.
Today we are thrilled to announce that our event space The Hole in the Wall will be converted into an intimate movie theatre for three days in January. Thanks to award-winning film-maker Aaron Schillinger, we are delighted to host the first ever Amherstburg screening of Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale. It’s an impactful, moving story about an island we all loved, about two boats—the SS Ste. Claire and SS Columbia—and about the forgotten story of a precedent-setting civil rights case that went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.
We would like to give a shout-out to three sponsors that are helping us bring this show to Amherstburg. First, our Presenting Sponsor, Bois Blanc Canada—the developer of the 272-acre master-planned resort community on the south end of the island. A plan that respects the history of the island and its natural setting, and which is necessary for the long-term future of the residents already on the island.
Second, we’d like to thank two of our neighbouring businesses that are helping us revitalize downtown Amherstburg. The Richmond Popcorn Company (yes, their delicious popcorn will be available during the shows) and Piper’s Port, the owners revitalizing the Post Office building (love their Boblo boat mural) and restoring the beautiful 1879 building at 70-74 Murray Street.
Our Boblo Boats show line-up:
Our Hole in the Wall is a beautiful event space for hosting this event, but it is small (I prefer to describe it as intimate), so tickets will go very very quickly. Get yours while you can.
Go to blackdogentertainment.ca to reserve your seats.
Looking forward to sharing Boblo memories with you.
Richard
Bookseller and community builder
More than a bookstore