At The Heart of Our Harbour
Harbourfest Returns For Another Year
Story by Abigail Heron, Photos by Damien Gilbert
Once upon a time, in a far-off land known as the “80s and 90s,” there existed a beloved annual festival called Harbourfest. Every summer, the Thunder Bay downtown core would transform into the enchanted Heart of the Harbour and the people who strolled the Red River Road—stopping in their path to dance to live music, play fun games, and win prizes—were dressed in ancient relics and long-lost fashions such as shoulder pads and teased hair which have been thankfully relegated to the past. For a lot of longtime Thunder Bay residents, it feels as if it was just last year that the beloved event graced our final summer days, and luckily for everyone, they’re exactly correct.
Last August marked the long-awaited return of Harbourfest. “People just loved it,” says Karlyn Maguire-Stein, activity and event coordinator for the Waterfront BIA. “Everywhere you’d look, there'd be smiling faces. Lots of people really loved having it because they actually remembered when it happened in the 90s.” With all that being said, last year was just a warm-up; Harbourfest has even more in-store for the whole family this time around.
The festival will make way for an epic battle of the buskers, where performers will go head to head on the main stage in a musical competition. Attendees should also be prepared to bring their appetite, as this year’s programming includes none other than a hot-dog eating contest. But not all the dogs at the festival are to be eaten: some are there to show off in the return of last year’s smash-hit dog contest, with categories such as owner lookalike and best trick.”I think the festival does a good job at having events that represent all different communities [and making it] so that families can come,” says Keerstin Guinto, content creator for the Waterfront BIA, about the day-long event with free admission.
Of course, there will be plenty of local vendors, and businesses on the strip will be encouraged to stay open late. “I think it's important to support local businesses and make sure the community also feels involved. That's what shapes a good city: if people feel as if they're welcome and invited to spaces like this,” says Guinto. Harbourfest goes to show that there’s plenty of room in Thunder Bay’s heart for everyone.
Harbourfest takes place August 27, 4–11 pm on Red River Road between Court Street and St. Paul Street, and is free to attend.
