The annual Georgian Bay Tugboat Festival will be pulling in quite a crowd this weekend, with plentiful food and entertainment in tow.
Previously known as Tugfest in 2013, the formal event became the Georgian Bay Tugboat Festival in 2017 and has brought in between 15 to 30 tugboats over the years. This year, at least 17 ‘tugs’ have been confirmed for attendance with more anticipated leading up to the event.
“This event is one of Midland’s summer highlights,” said town culture and community manager Karen Mealing.
“It’s a sight with all of the tugboats in our beautiful harbour, and families are going to love the many free activities happening that weekend.”
Previous years have seen between 15,000 to 20,000 visitors attend the festival, stay in hotels, shop locally, and visit other nearby attractions.
Along with the Tugboat Festival, located at 475 Bayshore Drive, the town has partnered with the Northern Heat Rib Series and Beer Fest and a midway carnival with amusement rides.
Tugboat festivities will kick off on Friday August 16 at 3 p.m. as the tugs dress for light parade. Performances by the Neema Choir will be on hand from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m., followed by the 93 North Band until 9 p.m.
As well, artisans and vendors will be lined up at nearby David Onley Park until 9 p.m.
“The Parade of Lights always attracts a crowd,” said Mealing, “and that takes place on Friday evening beginning around 9 p.m.”
Saturday morning looks to be an exciting day as artisans, vendors and facepainting get started at 10 a.m. Buskers and other live entertainment will continue throughout the day.
At 11 a.m., attendees can expect to see tug races, a tug push contest, tug demonstrations, and the inaugural tug rodeo scheduled throughout the day until 5 p.m. Meanwhile, select tugboats will be opened and available for tours along the town dock between 3 to 5 p.m.
Entry for the Northern Heat Rib Series will be $2, with free admission for children under 5 years of age. In addition to the meats and treats available, live music will play throughout the weekend.
Friday night will be country night starting at 5 p.m. with the Kyle McAdams Trio, with Johnny Anderson taking the stage at 7 p.m., and at 9 p.m. Lakeside Groove will close out the evening.
Saturday’s theme will be to rock the park with the Feelin’ Good Band hitting the stage at 2 p.m., Tragically Hip tribute band The Trip at 4 p.m., Wicked Truth at 6:15 p.m., and the AC/DC Show Canada rounding out the night at 9 p.m.
On Sunday, a mash-up of hits will happen courtesy of Little Peter and the Elegants at 1 p.m., Otis Wonder & The Hustle at 3 p.m., and to close the festivities the Sandra Good Band will perform at 5 p.m.
“Midland hosts the Georgian Bay Tugboat Festival two years in a row, and then skips a year when the Tall Ships are visiting; 2025 is a Tall Ships year,” Mealing added.
Full information on the Georgian Bay Tugboat Festival weekend activities is available on the town's website.
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