This year's pile was deemed "respectful" by local business owners - Credit | Jody Merner Whetstone, Facebook
Bayfield locals will know that back to school means that there was a pyramid in Clan Gregor Square first thing this morning.
Although newcomers may not understand the tradition, local business owners are enthusiastic about it. Lifelong local and owner of the Albion Hotel Jeff Graham says that he and his Dad participated when they were teens.
Local business owners know that anything they leave out on the eve of the first day of school is considered a donation to the pile – with this years pile sporting bar umbrellas, A frame signs, Muskoka chairs, benches, and flags.
Owner of the Purple Peony Cheri Shaver didn’t grow up in the community, but she says that the pile up is all in good fun.
Many locals gather in the park the morning that school starts to take in the pyramid, before business owners gather up what’s theirs and bring it back to their front door.
But not everyone shares their enthusiasm, with the influx of newcomers in the last five years, some misunderstand the tradition. Graham says when businesses pack up the patio furniture they don’t want commandeered for the pile, newcomers might incorrectly think the town is closed up for the year.
Some may even consider the pile to be vandalism, but Shaver says that simply isn’t true,
If you ask Graham, the pyramid is part of their community,
He leaves something out for the kids every year, helping the tradition continue forward.
Written by: B. Shakyaver