North Grenville, ON - The Municipality of North Grenville will mark Ukraine Independence Day (August 24) by raising the Ukrainian flag at the Municipal Centre at a ceremony on Monday August 25th, 2025. This gesture of solidarity stems from North Grenville’s twinning agreement in July 2023 with Sokal’, a community of similar size and demographics in Ukraine.
The ceremony takes place at 1:30 PM with remarks from Mayor Peckford and a representative of the Ukrainian community and will also reintroduce the refreshed Ukraine Bike Art installation, including plans for new installations.
In North Grenville, a dedicated group of volunteers has invested considerable time and energy refurbishing more than 50 bikes donated by community members into art pieces featuring the Ukrainian flag colours.
An installation of four of the bikes was unveiled at the Municipal Centre last winter and several more will be placed throughout the community this fall, including seven along the Rail Trail. Another five bikes will be placed at the entrance of the various hamlets, including Oxford Mills at Maplewood Hall, Bishops Mills, Burritts Rapids, Oxford Station and South Gower.
According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, nearly 400,000 Ukrainian troops have been killed or wounded since the war began, in addition to tens of thousands of civilians.
Installing this public art is a reminder of the stark realities of war, including the toll on everyday civilians - and highlights the friendship between North Grenville and our Ukrainian Twin city Sokal’.
Mayor Nancy Peckford shares “These bike installations, featuring the colours of the Ukrainian flag, are a symbol of our solidarity with our twin municipality, Sokal’. By placing them along our trails and in our hamlets, we are expressing and deepening a meaningful symbol of friendship, cultural understanding, and shared values.”
The flag raising and unveiling ceremony is open to the public, and residents are warmly invited to attend.
About Sokal’, Ukraine
Sokal’ is a historic city in western Ukraine, celebrated for its cultural heritage and strong community spirit. Its twinning agreement with North Grenville promotes cultural, educational, and economic exchange.
About the Ukraine Bike Art Installation
The project was made possible thanks to generous community support. Special thanks go to Will and Rowena Pearl and the Steven Creek Shutter and Decor Centre for donating paint, and to the Kemptville Campus Education and Community Centre and Municipality of North Grenville for providing workspace.
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