Get ready, get set for Stonetown Heritage Festival!

Local duo “Now and Then” kicks off the Heritage Festival on Friday, July 14 covering an array of your favourite oldies. The free concert takes place at the Cadzow Park amphitheater from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. A free outdoor movie will follow at dusk, presented by The Friends of the St. Marys Public Library. 

Saturday begins with delicious seasonal goodies at the Farmers’ Market at Milt Dunnell Field, just a short stroll from all the action on Queen Street!  

The street fair is chockablock with fun for all ages! In addition to inflatables, face painting, and an array of vendors be sure to check out the demonstrations and performances at Queen St. and Wellington St. throughout the day. Downtown restaurants and eateries will also be open for delicious dining and takeaway. 

It wouldn’t be a heritage festival without an opportunity to learn more about the histories of the town. Those looking to immerse themselves in heritage, arts, and culture have several options. Sign up at the festival information tent to partake in a heritage bus tour, leaving hourly from Town Hall from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

Local historian Larry Pfaff is offering two heritage walking tours, beginning at Town Hall at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Architecture aficionados can also check out 14 Church St. N (formerly the Mercury Theatre) from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Attendees can explore parts of the building and share memories of the building with volunteers. 

Ten incredible artists of all ages will be featured on the first ever Riverview Walkway Art Walk. In collaboration with the Art Walk, the recently restored Riverwalk Commons building (84 Water St. S.) is open for discovery and as a cooling station from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Iced tea and scones are available from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. 

Following the street fair, head down to Milt Dunnell Field to enjoy music and food truck offerings beginning at 5:00 p.m. Three fantastic bands will take to the stage: indie-folk duo York Street Thought Process (5:00 p.m.), indie-rock duo The Bone Radlers (6:30 p.m.) and self-proclaimed “dad-rock” band, Roy’s Garage (8:30 p.m.). Cap off the day with the fabulous Rotary Fireworks beginning at approximately 10:00 p.m.  

On Sunday, July 16, the weekend closes out with the St. Marys Horticultural Society’s Garden Tour from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. 

Organizers remind those attending the event to bring a reusable water bottle and that the festival is a rain or shine event. Queen St. will be closed between Church St. and Thomas St. from 7:00 a.m. to approximately 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, as will Water St. N. to the parking lot, and Water St. S. to Jones St. E. A small section of Wellington Street N. and Wellington St. S. will also be closed. 

Milt Dunnell Field will be closed to vehicular traffic from 3:00 to 11:00 p.m. on Saturday, so that the concert and fabulous Rotary Fireworks can be safely enjoyed. Motorists using Milt Dunnell Field on Saturday morning are also asked to be mindful of increased foot traffic for the new activities taking place there.  

The trestle (Sarnia bridge) will be closed to pedestrian traffic on Saturday from 12:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. for the fireworks show. Those viewing the show are reminded to watch from a safe distance of at least 200meters, including from water. 

Stay up to date with Heritage Festival through social media! Discover all our social media accounts at www.townofstmarys.com/stayintouch. For a full schedule of events, please visit www.discoverstmarys.ca/festival. 

-30- 

Contact 

Alanna Bowes | Events Coordinator 
519-284-2340, ext. 249 | abowes@town.stmarys.on.ca