Article content“It just really touched my heart and I got a little bit choked up… because she said we’ve removed that barrier and so there’s no kids just watching.”Article content Ivy Power, of Three Mile Plains, easily scaled HRM Mascots and Inflatables’ 26-foot-tall rock wall that was set up along the Windsor waterfront Aug. 2. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle content Madelynn Lamontagne, 9, had fun checking out the inflatable play structures set up in downtown Windsor Aug. 2. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle contentArticle contentVolunteers thankedArticle contentHants West MLA Melissa Sheehy-Richard commended the volunteers who revived the old summertime festival.Article content“I’m just so proud of the committee and the work that they do,” said Sheehy-Richard as kids eagerly lined up for their next activity.Article content“It’s just so good for the community to come together.”Article contentWest Hants Mayor Abraham Zebian was also impressed with the festival.Article content“The Avon River Days festival keeps getting bigger and better every year as seen this past weekend,” he said in a news release. “So many free, family friendly events were enjoyed by so many within our community and beyond.”Article contentArticle content Windsor firefighters Charles Pemberton, left, and Doug Matheson were among the volunteers who helped during the Avon River Days kick-off street party Aug. 1. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle content Hants West MLA Melissa Sheehy-Richard, who handed out stickers while walking in the Avon River Days parade, said it was wonderful to see so many people come out to enjoy the August festival. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle contentTown crier Lloyd Smith, who participated in the first festival, which was called Sam Slick Days, in 1971, told the crowd gathered at the opening ceremonies “how refreshing it really is to see the street active again, to see many of the events once again returning to our community.”Article contentThe festival was mired in controversy in 2008, rebranded to Windsor West Hants Summer Fest in 2009, underwent another name change in 2014 to Avon River Days and then ceased entirely during the pandemic.Article contentBland and a small group of volunteers revived the festival in 2024, bringing back some of the beloved traditions and introducing new, family friendly events as well.Article content JP Simms attempted to eliminate hometown hero Lil’ Blay, Cody Brown, during a battle royal at a free outdoor wrestling show in Windsor Aug. 1. The event was part of the Avon River Days’ kick-off street party. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle contentArticle content Youth and adults alike were vocal in their love and hate for wrestlers participating in a free public show during Avon River Days Aug. 1. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle contentAlthough the fireworks display that traditionally ends the Natal Day long weekend was cancelled, Bland said it was the right choice to make given the tinder dry conditions the province is facing.Article content“Last year we had to postpone because of the weather,” Bland said, noting the rain pushed the fireworks forward a day.Article content“However, we didn’t feel that that was the right move for this year because there was no rain coming that would make a difference in the ability to make a safe decision to proceed with the fireworks.”Article contentBland says that means next year’s fireworks will be extraordinary.Article content“It’ll make next year’s show even bigger because it’ll already be arranged and we have room to sort of improve that even more.”Article content Ellie Moore, right, watches as her friend Ivy Power gets her face painted by Cait Moir, who was set up at the free children’s carnival in downtown Windsor Aug. 2. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle content Ellie Moore, left, and Ivy Power, both of Three Mile Plains, were all smiles after getting their face painted at the Avon River Days free children’s carnival Aug. 2. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle contentArticle content Halifax musician Peter Fillman was one of the many performers who kept Avon River Days visitors entertained Aug. 2. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle content Young rockers with Jake Smith Music School performed during the Avon River Days kick-off street party Aud. 1. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle content Dorene Bernard, a Mi’kmaq residential school survivor from Sipekne’katik First Nation, provided a blessing during the opening ceremonies of Avon River Days in downtown Windsor Aug. 1. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle content Town crier Lloyd Smith welcomed people to downtown Windsor to officially kick off Avon River Days Aug. 1. He also led the Aug. 2 parade. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle content Roast pig was on the menu Aug. 1 for the Avon River Days opening ceremony and kick-off street party. Walkers Restaurant’s AJ Reid manned the barbecue. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle content Sidewalk Sam was among the wrestlers that took part in a battle royal during Avon River Days’ kick-off street party in Windsor Aug. 1. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle content Wesley Pipes puts Kyle Kruze in position for a side slam during a battle royal held during an outdoor wrestling show in downtown Windsor Aug. 1. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle content A children’s parade was held prior to the Avon River Days grand street parade Aug. 2. Youth were invited to take part in the fun by bringing their decorated bikes, scooters, wheelchairs, and wagons for the wheels-themed parade. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle content Kathy Johnston-Isenor, West Hants’ manager of recreation and community engagement, and Clover, the Windsor Garlic Festival mascot, took part in the Avon River Days grand street parade Aug. 2. The 2025 garlic festival will be held on Sept. 13. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle content Members of the Royal Canadian Legion Hants County branch 009 marched in the Avon River Days Aug. 2 grand street parade. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle content The Stadacona Band of the Royal Canadian Navy, a full-time professional military band based in Halifax, provided upbeat marching music along the Avon River Days parade route. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle content Members of the Falmouth Tug of War teams were all smiles as they took part in the Avon River Days parade. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle content Valley Ghost Walks actor Gar MacDonald was helping spread the word about the upcoming spooky tours while participating in the Avon River Days parade. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle contentArticle content Bradley Eaglestone, of The Big Fur Grooming Shop in Windsor, waved to the crowd from his float in the Avon River Days parade. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle content Members of Kings-Hants MP Kody Blois’ Liberal team joined him along the Avon River Days parade route Aug. 2. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle content Ashley Imlay and her son Hunter carried the Nova Scotia flag through downtown Windsor as they participated in the Avon River Days parade. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle content This truck from Pothier Motors turned heads during the Avon River Days parade Aug. 2. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle content Windsor firefighter Wyatt Juteau was among the many volunteers taking part in the Avon River Days parade. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle contentArticle content Liz Fraser, of Knee High to a Grasshopper Storytelling, was one of the entertainers during the Avon River Days children’s carnival Aug. 2. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle content
IN PHOTOS: Avon River Days packs in three days of summer fun
