For every ending, there’s a new beginning. And in Belleville, that means a major shift in how some of the city’s biggest events are organized.
After 17 years, the City of Belleville and the Belleville Chamber of Commerce are parting ways—at least when it comes to event management. This partnership has been behind some of the city’s most beloved traditions, including the Waterfront Multicultural Festival, the Santa Claus Parade, Canada Day, and the Family Fun Fest.
So, what happens next?
Why the Change?
On Monday, a joint statement from the City and the Chamber confirmed the decision, citing a few key reasons:
- A strategic planning process that reaffirmed the Chamber’s main focus on advocacy and community prosperity
- Inflation and rising costs, making large-scale events more challenging
- A planned scaling back of events in 2024
At a council meeting Monday night, Chamber CEO Jill Raycroft reminded council that these events have always been community-driven:
“From a historical perspective, these events were always community-led, and the chamber was so grateful to be able to engage with the community through the partnerships we’ve developed over the years.”
While the Chamber is stepping back from event management, it will continue working with the City on visitor services, economic development, and business and resident attraction.
What About the Events?
Naturally, this raises big questions about what’s next for these events—especially the Waterfront Multicultural Festival.
Here’s what we know:
- Canada Day celebrations will still light up the city in 2025
- The Waterfront Multicultural Festival’s future is uncertain
- The city is looking at new ways to celebrate multiculturalism
The Future of the Waterfront Multicultural Festival
At Monday night’s council meeting, staff presented a report recommending that the festival, at least in its current form, be dissolved.
Why?
- Conversations with vendors, food village participants, and community organizations revealed that the event has felt “stale” in recent years
- There’s been a decline in attendance and midway ticket sales
- A longtime festival entrepreneur has assessed the numbers and doesn’t see the event as economically viable as a free community event
But that doesn’t mean Belleville is saying goodbye to the flavours and cultures that make this city special.
A New Take on Multicultural Celebrations
- Food vendors from the festival will now be invited to participate in the Canada Day event
- The city will redirect resources from Pop-ups on the Bay to support a new version of the Multicultural Waterfront Festival, planned for the same July weekend
So, while it’s the end of an era, it’s also an opportunity for something fresh, exciting, and uniquely Belleville. Stay tuned!
