Summer Lovin' at Deep River's Summerfest
The community of Deep River, Ont. is thriving in the sunshine once again as Summerfest has returned for the first time since 2018.
The mid-summer weekend event - Deep River's biggest weekend of the year - is usually held bi-annually, but was cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic.
"It's exciting," says Summerfest chair Kristin Hawley.
"It's a lot of work but it's totally worth it to see everyone come together. Deep River Summerfest has become a bit of a reunion for some people and a bit of a homecoming."
Those bonds could be seen all along Depp River's waterfront as the long weekend event was in full swing.
"I remember being downtown here with everybody, being around the bouncy castles and being with your friends, doing art activities," recalls Grace Myers, who grew up in Deep River but now lives in Ottawa. "It's just really strong memories from childhood."
"We just come up to see family, check out the music," adds her brother Ben Myers. "Our mom and dad still live here, our grandma still lives here too so there's enough space for everybody to come and stay for the weekend."
The weekend is also big for the town and its businesses, with the population of roughly 4,500 almost doubling when Summerfest rolls around.
"Summerfest has historically drawn close to three or four thousand people," Deep River Mayor Suzanne D'Eon told CTV News. "It's our biggest economic driver."
While reuniting the town, Summerfest is also a local music festival, showcasing a number of musicians from across the Ottawa Valley, many of whom may not have had a stage this grand previously.
"I'll tell you, it's exciting," says Kurt Wittig, guitarist for Pembroke-based band Sawmill Road. "I haven't seen some of these people in a few decades and I hope they come and enjoy what we have to offer today."
Wittig grew up in Chalk River, minutes down the road from Deep River. He helped recently form Sawmill Road within the last year, who say Summerfest is their biggest show to date.
"Kurt has been saying for weeks that it's a bucket list thing," said lead singer Josh Coleman. "So this one is a big one."
The festival, now in its 32nd year, aims to prioritize the local talent.
"It's fun to see your friends and family going up on stage," says Hawley.
And as I mentioned it is sort of a reunion for a lot of people, so it's great to get people that people recognize up on the stage."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.