Summer Kickoff Festival in Harrowsmith

Jeff Green | May 29, 2024

The weather was not cooperating on Saturday.

At noon, it was raining, and it kept raining. And for the organisers of the second annual “Summer Kickoff Festival” at Centennial Park in Harrowsmith the prospects were not great. Although the bands perform on a stage under the roof in the stocksport area, and had a big tent as a back stage area, most of the festival is designed to make full use of the Park. The food and beverage area is wide open, amd the kid's zone and sitting areas are all designed for families to enjoy a picnic-like atmosphere in the summer sun. The fire pits that dot the space are not really and ideal feature on a rainy evening.

Luckily, the rain subsided. By 3pm or so, not only had it stopped raining but the sun poked out from the clouds out, just in time to dry the grass somewhat before the first Act, Courtney Kane, took the stage at 4pm.

Amanda Pantrey, who spearheads the event as part of her role as the Recreation and Events coordinator with South Frontenac Township, was continuing to harness volunteers and make sure everything was in place, but she knew that if it did not clear up, the crowd would be down this year.

“It was certainly a relief when the rain stopped and the sun came out, but outdoor events, right, that is the risk we take.”

Unlike in the first year of the festival when the park filled up early, the people trickled in at first this year, but by the time the Good Night Irenes started their set at 5pm, it was starting to fill up. By 6, the crowd was approaching the numbers from last year, the food trucks were doing a brisk business, and the kids zone was hopping. Dr. Bombay took the stage and the empty space under the roof began to fill up with dancers as families gathered in group around music and food. The three final bands of the evening, Dead Root Revival, R-Banned, and Lowery Mills, all have a rock music vibe, keeping the festival lively into the night.

“We are very lucky that there is so much talent in our local area. I think the audience appreciates that,” said Pantrey.

The local reach extends to the food at the festival this year. Last year there were less food vendors and they all sold out early. But this year, there were more, and much more variety as well. The Smokehouse was back, as was Barb's Perogy's, and the were joined by Kingston's Otter Creek, the Pizza truck of Sydenham based JP Weirdough, and The Paper Plate, from the Inverary/Battersea area.

Beer was provided by the Local Brewery and the Kick and Push Brewery, and Kingston based Hardway Cider.

The Summer Kickoff Festival is a free event each year, courtesy of the Township of South Frontenac, and there are a number of local sponsors who help out, including RawDogFeed.com, and backstage food was provided this year by Prime Takeout.

“We set up this event as a celebration of summer and our community, and while we make changes every year, I can's see that focus shifting, said Pantrey, “we have all the talent that we need right here.”