Organizers planning for bigger, better TurtleFest

Organizers are working for a larger, better TurtleFest this year after record-breaking crowds filled the streets last year. (File Photo)

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

Organizers are planning for a bigger and better TurtleFest on Friday, June 19, and Saturday, June 20.

The largest festival in town, which sees Broadway shut down, the event attracted an estimated 30,000 people last year.

“Coming out of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2023, we wanted to make sure that TurtleFest was able to resume its position as Tillsonburg’s signature event, but we realized that sponsorship support would be difficult as many local businesses struggled during the shutdown,” said TurtleFest chair Mark Renaud. “Consequently, we had to be conservative in our planning . However, we have been able to be able to add more to the event every year.

Tillsonburg Farmer’s Market is a new partner for the event on Saturday as TurtleFest expands with the closure of Bridge Street to the west of Broadway. Additional pop-up vendors are planned for the farmers’s market, including bouncy castle for children, horse and buggy rides for a fee, and musical entertainment. Plans are underway to add a food truck to serve breakfast items to morning market shoppers.

Vanessa Fortner, events and marketing coordinator for the Downtown Tillsonburg BIA, discussed plans to move the Station Arts Centre’s Creative Impact Zone for Kids to that area, as well as artisans.

“It will connect the farmers’ market to the downtown zone through Bridge Street,” she said.

However, the largest change will be moving Food Truck Alley from Brock Street to the Tillsonburg Town Centre parking lot adjacent to CIBC.

“It was crammed in that area, and there wasn’t enough seating,” said Renaud, BIA executive director. “We took the criticism from the public and moved it.”

The plan is to have up to 16 food trucks in a circle, with seating for 200 people in the centre.

The mainstage activities at the south end of Broadway will include busker performers during the day and evening, as well as musical performers all day, with a headline country music act in the evening. Renaud said the performer's identity is a closely guarded secret and will be released in early May as part of a promotional campaign.

All of the favourite Broadway activities are returning, including more than 100 vendors, Young Entrepreneur Alley, bouncy castles, a petting zoo, and on-street patios.

Activities start Friday with the official ribbon cutting for the newly-renamed Tillson Family Parkette at Broadway and Oxford Street at 3 p.m., and opening ceremonies at the Station Arts Centre at 4 p.m. There will be a special musical performance at The Copper Mug and a movie on the lawn at Annandale House. Other Annandale House activities include carnival games, Lego turtle kits, turtles from Scales Nature Park from Peterborough, and wildlife conservation exhibits on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Another significant addition is My Broadcasting Corporation, the new owners of the Country 107.3 and Giant FM 101.3 Tillsonburg radio stations, joining the Town of Tillsonburg, Experience Ontario, TD Bank, Tim Hortons, Shaw’s Ice Cream, and Execulink as major sponsors of TurtleFest. Several other businesses have generously provided financial support and sponsorship of various activities. A full list of sponsors can be found on the TurtleFest.ca website.

Follow TurtleFest on the TurtleFest.ca website and on Facebook and Instagram.