Brantford Poppy Project to host community barbecue

The Brantford Poppy Project will be hosting a community barbecue fundraiser and celebration on Thursday, September 17, 2026. The community-driven art initiative, which officially began with the first of many workshops on February 28, is working to transform thousands of handmade crocheted and knitted poppies into multiple public art installations for Remembrance Day. Over the course of roughly seven months, the project has attracted volunteers from across the city, bringing together people of all ages and skill levels who have chipped in to help bring the vision to life. Chad Martin, Chair of the Brantford Poppy Project and the Brantford Station Neighbourhood Association (BSNA), said the campaign has exceeded his expectations, given that it started as an idea among just a few people and has since garnered nearly 20,000 poppies. 'I put the Poppy Project proposal together in December and sent it to the City in January, and look where we are now. We originally set a goal of 10,000 poppies, which was really just a nice arbitrary, round number, but we've already doubled that,' he said. 'It's interesting to think about because this started out as a conversation between four or five of us from the BSNA, trying to figure out a way we could do some sort of commemoration to the veterans that came from our neighbourhood, and here were, 20,000 knitted and crocheted poppies later. It's just incredible.' With an abundance of poppies in hand, much of the work is now shifting to tying the handmade creations to netting. For those interested in getting involved, there will be various tying workshops taking place throughout September and October, giving residents plenty of opportunity to still be part of the community effort. Once all of the poppies are tied to the netting, the art installations will be set up on monuments and memorials, in parks and other locations across the city. 'I think, as the generational separation from veterans continues to grow, we need to have something that helps to reinvigorate the sense of taking a moment to pause and reflect, and I know these displays are going to be so moving for a lot of people,' said Martin. 'And I think, whether you crocheted or knitted a poppy with us, or even just helped to tie one on, when people see these displays, there's going to be a real sense of pride in our community and what we've achieved.' Martin said the displays will be installed towards the end of October, beginning of November, and will remain in place until Remembrance Day. Until then, the Brantford Poppy Project committee is inviting residents to attend their community fundraiser and barbecue event on Thursday, September 17, at the Royal Canadian Legion, Dunsdon Branch #461, from 4 to 7 p.m. The event is designed to not only thank the community for the support in making the project possible, but to show people exactly what the poppy project is. 'I think it can be hard to visualize what we're trying to do if you've never seen one of these installations, so we're going to have some nets on display so people can see firsthand what we're trying to create here,' said Martin. 'People who come will also have the chance to tie some nets or tie some poppies on to the nets, and there's going to be food and music, and an opening ceremony at 5:30 p.m. with dignitaries too. But really, it's all about thanking the people that have helped us so far, hopefully recruiting more people, and helping raise more funds to keep us going as we move on to the next steps.' Tickets to the event cost $15 for adults and $12 for children 12 and under and include a hot dog or hamburger from Strodes BBQ and Deli, and a cupcake from SWEET Bakery. Tickets can either be purchased online or at SWEET Bakery. Funds raised from the event will go towards buying more nets, materials to install the displays, cleaning supplies, containers to store them in, and future Poppy Project efforts. Kimberly De Jong's reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at kimberly.dejong@brantbeacon.ca.