The news that Belleville’s Waterfront & Multicultural Festival is shutting down has sparked plenty of conversation. Some think it’s time to shake things up, while others want to hold on to a beloved tradition. We asked the community:
What do you think? Should they shake things up or stick with tradition?
Here’s what people had to say:
🎶 Bring Back the Good Old Days
For some, the festival has lost its spark over the years, and they’d love to see it return to its former glory:
“Go back to waterfront festivals from the 90s/2000s—maybe merge with Empire Rockfest to make that happen.”
“Waterfront was, in the past, a musical sensation that drew people from out of town. It is now overpriced and dull.”
“If it could be more like in the 80s and 90s, that would be amazing! A water show with boats, maybe a boat parade or stunt water skiers, would really highlight our beautiful waterfront area.”
Many remember the days when big-name bands, water shows, and bustling crowds made the festival a summer highlight. Some suggested bringing back dragon boat races, belly flop contests, and speedboat competitions to liven things up again.
🇨🇦 Should It Be Part of Canada Day?
With Canada Day celebrations happening so close to the festival, some felt merging the two events could be a smart move.
“A big fun festival on Canada Day would be fantastic. No need to call it a multicultural festival or an ethnic festival.”
“Canada Day is perfect to show our multicultural mix of people and communities. Every booth could have a short history of when their people arrived in Belleville, with traditional dress and food.”
“Canada Day is already the biggest celebration of the summer—why not make it even bigger? A full-day festival with music, food, and cultural showcases would bring the whole community together.”
“Merging with Canada Day makes sense. It would bring more people out, create a better atmosphere, and allow for bigger entertainment. One major event instead of two smaller ones could be a win-win!”
Others, however, weren’t convinced:
“I don’t think it should be merged with Canada Day celebrations—I feel that both themes deserve their own time to be celebrated.”
While some see a combined festival as a way to breathe new life into Canada Day, others worry that it could lead to overcrowding and losing the unique cultural aspect of the original event.
🍻 New Ideas for a Fresh Take
Many people feel it’s time for something completely different. Suggestions ranged from focusing more on local businesses to creating a new festival altogether:
“I think we should celebrate Oktoberfest in the downtown area—beer parlors, outdoor eating, entertainment, local musicians, dancing, merriment!!”
“Belleville is missing a big fall festival, and Oktoberfest would be perfect! Beer tents, bratwurst, polka bands, and local vendors—it would be amazing!”
“Why not take inspiration from Kitchener and have a waterfront Oktoberfest? A Bavarian beer garden, live music, and a whole weekend of celebrations could bring in tourism.”
“We already celebrate summer with so many events, but what about fall? A waterfront Oktoberfest could give people something to look forward to before winter sets in.”
From an Oktoberfest-style celebration to a more local-focused festival, there’s no shortage of ideas on how to keep Belleville’s summer event scene exciting.
🌊 The Verdict? A Festival in Transition
Many agree that festivals need to evolve over time, but the challenge is finding the right balance between honouring tradition and creating something fresh.
🗣 “All festivals need a renewal once in a while.”
🗣 “I’ve been attending the W.F.F for over 30 years. I’ve seen it morph from ridiculously huge concerts and lineups to a simple walk in the park with food. Would be great to have something in the middle!”
Belleville’s waterfront festival meant a lot to many people, and while its next chapter remains uncertain, one thing is clear—the community has strong opinions on how it should move forward.
Check out the poll results below:
