Shriner Ron Walker rode in style as he participated in the Avon River Days grand street parade on Aug. 1. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle contentDespite rainy weather moving the kick-off street party inside and threatening to postpone fireworks, Mother Nature largely co-operated with this year’s Avon River Days.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentLisa Bland and Sharon Poulain, the co-chairs of the Windsor festival that was held July 31 to Aug. 2, said they were pleased with the event’s overall success.Article contentArticle content“I think Avon River Days this year went fantastic. We had to pivot Friday night because of the rainstorm, but luckily, Walker’s (Restaurant) was able to accommodate us in their ballroom,” Poulain said.Article contentArticle content“So we still had wrestling. We still had Tyler Salsman (perform). He actually got in the ring, which was fantastic.”Article content Windsor firefighter Nathan Spinney showed Jasper Hollett, of Halifax, how thermal imaging cameras work while the youngster attended the Avon River Days touch a truck event Aug. 1. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle contentBland described the weekend as a big success.Article content“There’s always moments where you can see people lighting up and (getting) excited to see their friends, or you see the large crowds,” Bland said, noting the entertainment on the waterfront and the fireworks capped off the hard work.Article content“The weekend overall probably had somewhere around the 5,000 to 6,000 attendee mark again. I think the weather impacted some of that,” Bland said.Article content Town crier Lloyd Smith, front left, and Avon River Days parade marshal Rob Davies, donning the festival’s inflatable flamingo mascot, led the group through the streets of downtown Windsor. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle content Farmer Brian Casey brought his Clydesdales to Windsor for the Avon River Days parade. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle contentDark rainclouds hung in the air Aug. 1 for the parade and free kids’ carnival – but spared participants from a shower. The organizers watched the radar to determine whether the fireworks display would be a go Aug. 2. After a quick rain shower, the skies cleared and allowed for the show over Lake Pisiquid to go ahead as planned.Article content“There were some impacts to our numbers from weather, I suspect, but I would say we had a comparable attendance to last year,” Bland said.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentRock the Rink on Aug. 1 was the highlight of the festival for Bland.Article content“Rock the Rink was such a great success this year,” she said.Article content“It was incredible to see the crowd just light up for the opening with the Ryan Harvey Band,” she said, noting it was nice to see a local band celebrated. “And then when Classified came out on stage, it felt like the roof was going to blow off from the cheers. Those moments were just so exciting.”Article content Avon River Days co-chair Sharon Poulain navigated the festival’s parade route Aug. 1 aboard an adult tricycle. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle content Rotarians, from left, Angela Carver, Joanna Gould-Thorpe, and Jason Trider waved to the crowd gathered along Gerrish Street in Windsor to watch the Avon River Days parade. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle contentPoulain said what struck her was how thankful people were to have something to do in downtown Windsor over the long weekend.Article content“I was walking through the crowd (before the fireworks), just checking to make sure everything was going OK. A lady saw my shirt and stopped me and just thanked me,” Poulain said.Article contentBland said the festival, which is almost entirely free to attend, is made possible by donations and sponsorships.Article content“One of the things that we like to say is this festival is created by community and powered by our sponsors,” Bland said.Article content Firefighter Kyle Edgar helped get Eli Hollett, of Halifax, fitted with a helmet while his family attended the touch a truck event during Windsor’s Avon River Days. It was their first time visiting the festival. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle content Rachael Hart, right, attempted to climb a 26-foot-tall rock wall during the Avon River Days’ free kids’ carnival. Youth lined up for the chance to test their ability Aug. 1. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle content Lisa’s Family Restaurant manager Teresa Brown was all smiles as she walked down Windsor’s Gerrish Street as part of the Avon River Days parade. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle contentThe co-chairs intend to have a wrap-up meeting to discuss what worked and what could be improved. In October, planning will get underway for 2027.Article content“Our full-day meeting in October is kind of where we brainstorm who we want to bring in, what went right, what went wrong, what we can do better,” Poulain said.Article content“Not that things went wrong, but there’s some stuff we could tweak to make it better. Any festival can improve. If you think you’re perfect, then you’re not, probably.”Article contentPoulain said they welcome volunteers and encourage people who want to get involved to reach out to the committee.Article content Members of the Pipes and Drums of Clan Farquharson, a Bedford-based volunteer pipe band, marched through downtown Windsor as part of the Avon River Days parade Aug. 1. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle content The Nova Scotia Antique Engine & Tractor Association, which is based in Windsor, always participates in the Avon River Days parade. This year, the group hosted an antique tractor show on Aug. 1 and then an antique tractor pull on Aug. 2 at the Hants County Exhibition grounds. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle content Scrappy Lady Productions’ latest show, The Strike at Putney Church, which is a period comedy based on a Lucy Maud Montgomery short story, was well represented at the Avon River Days parade in Windsor. The performances will be held on Aug. 7, 8, 13, 14, and 15 in Wolfville. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle content Jeannie Myles, a member of Scrappy Lady Productions’ latest show, The Strike at Putney Church, took part in the Avon River Days parade to highlight the upcoming performances on Aug. 7, 8, 13, 14, and 15 in Wolfville. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle contentArticle content Ryley Martin, dressed as Thing 1, was one of several youth who took part in the Avon River Days’ all-wheels children’s parade Aug. 1. Her friend was dressed as Thing 2. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle contentArticle content The Royal Canadian Legion’s Hants County branch 009 president Darrell Leighton took part in the Avon River Days parade in Windsor on Aug. 1. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle contentArticle content Brynleigh McLean, of Scotch Village, had fun trying out the inflatable play structures set up in downtown Windsor Aug. 1 as part of the Avon River Days’ free kids’ carnival. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle contentArticle content Neighbours Paityn Anthony, right, and Avery Marsters checked out the fun, free kids’ carnival Aug. 1 at the Windsor waterfront during Avon River Days. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle content Rhyan Huntley attempted to scale HRM Mascots and Inflatables’ 26-foot-tall rock wall that was set up along the Windsor waterfront Aug. 1 as part of the Avon River Days’ free kids’ carnival. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle content Nine-year-old Benson Price, of Sweets Corner, showed no fear as he took on the steep slide set up as part of the Avon River Days’ free kids carnival on Aug. 1. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle content The Windsor waterfront gazebo was a happening spot during Avon River Days. Several performers took part in the Natal Day weekend festival. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle content Windsor firefighter Graham Driscoll was all smiles as members of the volunteer department took part in the Avon River Days parade Aug. 1. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle contentArticle content Fans and supporters of the Windsor Oxen junior B hockey team handed out candy to Avon River Days parade watchers Aug. 1. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle content Members of the Pipes and Drums of Clan Farquharson took part in the Avon River Days grand street parade Aug. 1 in Windsor. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle content This youth aboard JES Mechanical’s Avon River Days parade float entry was all smiles as she waved a bubble machine around Aug. 1. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle contentArticle content Nicole Hubley, the Hants County Christmas Angels program co-ordinator for 2026, took part in the Avon River Days’ vendors market Aug. 1 to raise awareness of the organization and fundraise. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle content A wide variety of inflatables were set up along the Windsor waterfront Aug. 1 as part of Avon River Days’ free kids’ carnival. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle content
IN PHOTOS: Weather doesnt dampen spirits for 2026 Avon River Days
