Ontario’s modern-day town criers compete in annual contest and have a wedding
Before the internet, before TV or radio, even before newspapers, there was an earlier source for news: the town crier.
This past weekend, dedicated Ontario criers gathered for some competition paying tribute to one of the world’s oldest methods of communication — and a wedding.
Once a year, the Muskoka Escapades of Town Crying Competition gives modern-day town criers the opportunity to compete for the highest honour in the business. At this year’s contest, which took place Saturday in Bracebridge, Ont., the winner was John Webster, official town crier for Markham, Ont.
Contestants are judged on the same criteria that was demanded of town criers several hundred years ago, says Steve Travers, official town crier for Barrie, Ont., and last year’s contest winner. They must get people’s attention, be precise in their wording, stay on topic, sustain a loud volume in their speech, and have a dignified entrance and exit. “If you skip in or you waddle in like a duck or something, they don’t like that,” he says.