Newmarket-Aurora MPP Dawn Gallagher Murphy is once again inviting area residents to enjoy a free community barbecue at Riverwalk Commons in Newmarket.
The politician is hosting her third annual event, featuring free food, kids activities and giveaways for the first 500 people. The event offers an opportunity for residents to speak and hear from their local MPP.
“The countdown is on,” Gallagher Murphy said on social media, adding that people should mark their calendars “for food, fun and great company.”
The barbecue is typically the biggest and most expensive one held by Gallagher Murphy each year. The event was expensed for $9,589 in 2023, but at least 14 other MPPs had events with a higher cost in 2023. The price was less expensive than the 2022 version of the event, which cost $11,160 and topped MPP expenses for its fiscal quarter. MPPs are allowed to expense events as part of their annual budgets.
The events have garnered hundreds of attendees over the course of the day, according to Dawn Gallagher Murphy’s office, with last year seeing more than 400.
Last year’s event featured plenty of supporters, though some critics from non-Conservative parties were also in attendance. Multiple York Region MPPs also attended, including then Minister of Education Stephen Lecce.
The event will run Sept. 29 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Riverwalk Commons, 200 Doug Duncan Dr.
