For the last 10 years, one of the popular events in Bala has been the annual re-enactment of author L.M. Montgomery coming to Bala on July 24th to start a two-week holiday, just as she did in 1922.  This year that re-enactment is evolving into a town party to celebrate Bala’s history.

Linda and Jack Hutton are turning their July 24^th celebration into a birthday party for the Inn at Roselawn which is turning 100 this summer. The annual lawn party usually held at Bala’s Museum will take place just down the road at the Inn at Roselawn (1039 River Street), starting at 2 p.m. Everyone is invited.

The program will include live music, cake and ice cream and a fashion show highlighting clothes worn after 1903. Local models will be showing off vintage bathing costumes, Roselawn chambermaid uniforms, flapper clothes and what a well-dressed couple wore to Dunn’s Pavilion in the 40's.

Linda Hutton says the inn will be entirely open for viewing by the public that day so people can see firsthand an important part of Bala’s history. "Roselawn was part of Bala’s beginnings," says Linda. "It is one of the few Muskoka inns from that era which is still around and getting better every year."

Roselawn’s most famous guest over the years was author L.M. Montgomery who based a novel, "The Blue Castle", upon her 1922 holiday at Roselawn. The part of the famous author is being played this year by Donna Hillyard of Gravenhurst.

Doug Brown of Bala will play the part of her husband, driving his own vintage Model A Ford. LMM’s two sons, Chester, 10, and Stuart, 7, will be played by Brandon Luksa, 10, and Caleb Luksa, 9.

For more details, call either Jack or Linda Hutton at 762-5876, or e-mail balamus@muskoka.com. 
(A tip: show up before 2 p.m. to see LMM’s arrival and bring your own lawn chair)