A longstanding tradition returned to Midland Harbour on Monday as the community gathered to welcome the first ship of the season, the M.V. Frontenac, with a century-old ceremony.
This year, Captain Louri Makarenko of the M.V Frontenac, a Canadian steamship, received the ceremonial silk top hat originally worn by James Playfair over 100 years ago, in recognition of the crew’s safe arrival.
“This is the first time for us personally, I mean, we’ve been to Midland many times, but, as a ceremony, first time. We appreciate everything - what the city is doing,” said Makarenko. “We’re still working and bringing the grain from Thunder Bay, and we would love to continue this tradition for many more years.”
The tradition dates back to Playfair, who created the gesture as a playful way to encourage friendly competition among commercial vessels.
“It reminds us of all of our deep marine heritage and the beautiful shores of our Georgian Bay here and also connects us to all those who came before and generations of Midlanders who built their lives around this harbour,” said Midland Mayor Bill Gordon.
Playfair’s actual top hat is professionally restored and carefully preserved by the town. A backup hat, once owned by Playfair’s brother, is kept in the town archives, ready in case anything happens to the original.
“It’d be different if it was just a hat from Amazon that we picked up and we’re just ... it’s symbolic,” said Gordon.
The tradition is slowly fading among towns around the Great Lakes which makes the tradition a little more special.
“It is a piece of history that we try and preserve,” Gordon said. “It’s done in communities all around the Great Lakes. Not every community, but many of them are still carrying this tradition on and we’re really proud that we’re one of them.”
