Zenda Garden Parties - Zenda Gates – 433473 Zenda Line
***Please note***
To see the gates you will find the address above - the cache is actually just down from the gates, on a property not far away. There was no other way to place a cache here.
The hamlet of Zenda, in the Township of South West Oxford, was famous for hosting The Zenda Garden Parties. The yearly garden parties were the largest in Ontario sponsored by the Canadian Order of Foresters and The Zenda Lodge. The event was held on the second week of August every year from 1905 to 1957 and they can only be described as being the highlight of the year for many community members and residents from far and wide.
Originally, the event was a Strawberry Social held on residents’ lawns and then farmers’ fields. Then it became a vaudeville event and the Foresters felt they needed a permanent spot to host the garden parties. In 1922, they purchased a piece of property at the south end of the village. The wrought iron gates that originally stood at the entrance of the park still stand today due to local residents requesting that they be restored to preserve the history of this little community.
It was a grand event every year with cars streaming in from every direction. In the late 40’s and early 50’s attendance was estimated to be 8,000 to 10,000. Former Mayor of Ingersoll William English was the Master of Ceremonies for more than 40 years at these events. Bob Wilson, a Toronto comedian and promoter lined up the program with professional entertainment. Ranging from orchestra singers and stage entertainment the audience was never shy of entertainment. Refreshment booths lined the area and families enjoyed the big event with Proceeds from the Zenda Garden Parties going to the Foresters who in turn donated to local charities.
Times changed in the 1950’s with TV being blamed for dwindling attendance and this western institution then passed into history.