Aylmer’s park system will come alive with food, music, classic cars and children’s activities on Saturday, June 21st, as the town hosts its first-ever Aylmer Community Festival.
Organized by a group of volunteers and led by Festival Coordinator Kathryn Desrosiers, the free event will stretch from Steen Park to Balmoral Park, offering both residents and visitors the chance to also explore the natural beauty of the town.
Desrosiers, who is also a Councillor for the Town of Aylmer, explains where the idea for this new community event stemmed from.
With a wide range of activities designed for all ages, Desrosiers breaks down what attendees can expect when they walk into the festival.
The day kicks off at 10 a.m. with the Kids Zone at Balmoral Park, featuring touch-a-truck displays, face painting, glitter tattoos, bubbles, a chalk zone, and booths from community groups including the Aylmer Library, EarlyON, and more.
Blippi and Elsa are scheduled to make live appearances, with Blippi from 10 a.m. to noon and Elsa from noon to 2 p.m. A free public swim will also run from 1 to 4 p.m.
Over in Steen Park, families will find a bustling vendor market, food trucks, a beer tent, and live music featuring local performers. Residents are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets and spend the day enjoying the park and all it has to offer, explains committee member Becky Simons.
For hot rod and classic car lovers, both a Motorcycle Show and Shine and Car Show will be taking place in the Corner Cupboard parking lot throughout the day.
The Motorcycle Show and Shine runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., with entry being by donation of either non-perishable food or cash-to the local food bank notes Simons.
The car show will follow in the same area from 3 to 6 p.m., with prizes, judging, and a special car raffle supported by the Knights of Columbus from Delhi.
Parking for the event will be available on public streets throughout the town, with all three locations—Steen Park, Balmoral Park, and the food bank lot—all connected by accessible walking trails.
While admission to the festival is free, organizers recommend bringing some cash to support vendors. Many will also offer point-of-sale options, and free Wi-Fi hotspots will be provided by Uplink Communications to support connectivity throughout the day.
As the committee prepares for this inaugural festival, both Simons and Desrosiers took the time to thank those who have jumped on board to support the day.
Festival information and a full schedule of events can be found online through the Aylmer Community Festival’s website and social media.
Written by: K. Freeman
