Kinsmen part ways with midway provider after Summerfest complaints
- 5 hours ago
- 2 min read
By Galen Simmons
The Kinsmen Club of St. Marys says it will not invite Magical Midways back for future Summerfest celebrations after a weekend that saw complaints about ride operations, wastewater disposal and the midway closing a day early.
The decision comes after the midway operator, which had been contracted to operate from Thursday through Sunday, informed organizers it would not open on the event’s final day.
“We sincerely apologize to our community,” the club said in a Facebook post. “Despite being contracted to operate Thursday through Sunday, Magical Midways has informed us they will not be operating today – Sunday. This decision was made by the midway operator and was completely beyond our control.
“We are extremely disappointed that they failed to honour their commitment.”
The Kinsmen are offering refunds for unused Sunday all-day ride passes. Email stmaryskinsmenclub@gmail.com by Aug. 7 to request a refund.
In a statement released after the event, the club said it is proud of delivering its largest Summerfest to date but acknowledged it is investigating several concerns involving the midway’s operations.
“While we formed a great connection and partnership with Magical Midways in the past, the actions of many of their employees this past year have created an environment that doesn’t reflect what the Kinsmen stand for and as a result, we regretfully announce that we will no longer be inviting them to our future SummerFest events,” the statement reads.
One concern circulating online alleged sewage had been dumped onto one of the baseball diamonds in Cadzow Park. The Kinsmen said the claim was investigated immediately by club members and the Town of St. Marys.
Town CAO Brent Kittmer confirmed parks staff found no evidence of sewage or human waste.
“Over the weekend it does appear they allowed grey water to drain directly onto the ground from their trailers (grey water is wastewater from sinks and showers),” Kittmer said in an email. “Based on parks staff’s inspection, there does not appear to be any evidence of sewage or human excrement present.”
Public works director Jed Kelly added cleanup of the park was completed by 10 a.m. Monday and was no more extensive than in previous years despite the heavy traffic through the park.
Magical Midways did not respond to a request for comment by press time.
The company’s safety record also came under scrutiny last year when it pleaded guilty to a violation of Ontario’s Technical Standards and Safety Act and was fined $30,000 following a 2022 incident at the Campbellford Fair in which a Tilt-A-Whirl car detached during operation, injuring three riders. An investigation by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority found the company failed to maintain required inspection records for the ride.
Looking ahead, the Kinsmen said planning for Summerfest 2027 will begin when the club reconvenes in September, though what the event will look like without a midway operator has yet to be determined.