Residents in Thunder Bay, Ontario, and the surrounding area can anticipate an upcoming weekend packed with a variety of events, including fairs, festivals, and fundraisers. From August 15 to 16, there will be several options to engage with the community, such as the Murillo Fair, Westfort Street Fair, Pawchella, Festival of India, and the Summer Matsuri.
The Oliver Agricultural Society is set to host its annual Murillo Fair at the Murillo Fairgrounds in Oliver Paipoonge, Ontario, spanning from Friday to Sunday. The fair will offer a range of activities from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., respectively. Attendees can look forward to livestock competitions, homecraft exhibits, midway rides, and lawn mower races during this traditional agricultural weekend festival. Admission prices are $10 for adults, $5 for youth and seniors, while children under five can enter for free.
Furthermore, the Westfort Street Fair is making a return on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., featuring local vendors, new businesses, artists, musicians, beer gardens, street food, and food contests along Frederica Street East, celebrating the Westfort community and local businesses.
A new dog-friendly festival fundraiser, Pawchella, is scheduled to take place at Kamview Nordic Centre on Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. The event aims to raise funds for appendix cancer care and research through the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation’s Northern Cancer Fund. Activities at Pawchella will include local vendors, Ontario SPCA games and dog adoption information, agility demonstrations, and dog walks ranging from two to five kilometers starting at 1 p.m.
Following a delay due to wildfires, the Festival of India and the Festival of Colours will also be held at Marina Park on Saturday and Sunday. The Festival of India will feature the Jagannath Rath Yatra, a chariot parade with traditional music and dancing, starting at 3 p.m.
Additionally, the Summer Matsuri, showcasing Japanese Canadian culture, will be presented by the Lakehead Japanese Cultural Association on Saturday from 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the West Thunder Community Centre. The event will include live entertainment, vendor markets offering Japanese and Asian food, and more.
To top it off, visitors can enjoy live performances by Brother John at the Sundays in the Park Concert on the main stage at Chippewa Park from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The organizers recommend bringing lawn chairs to enjoy the free public event.