In June 2007, the Town appointed Chris Pedersen-Brown as the new Official Town Crier!
As part of the Town's 150th Anniversary celebrations, the Town held a competition at the Oakville Waterfront Festival to determine the successful appointment of the official Town Crier.
Each competitor was judged according to established criteria. When the marks were tallied, Ms. Pedersen-Brown was clearly the winner.
As Oakville's new Town Crier, she will attend events as requested, write and develop original Town proclamations for special events such as Oakville Waterfront Festival, Canada Day Celebrations and Oakville Santa Claus Parade, as well as accommodate outside agency requests.
To book the Town Crier for your special event, call 905-399-7157 or email chris.pedersen@sympatico.ca.
More About Town Criers
The origins of town crying are shrouded in mystery.
Messengers in Ancient Greece and Rome performed many of the functions of town criers as they ran from town to town announcing news and royal proclamations.
In the British Isles, the post of town crier dates back to the 12th century.
Town criers were literate and were officers of the government.
A town crier was usually mentioned in the Charter of his respective town, and was elected by the court and performed numerous functions within the court.
In the days when few people were able to read, the custom of town crier was valued as a sure way of getting a message to the public. They informed townsfolk of current events, new laws and sales of merchandise.
~ from The Ringing Tones of an Ancient Calling ~
David A. Bullock, Buckingham