Turtlefest on tap for this weekend

Astute Tillsonburg residents who received mail that was dropped in a local box will notice the TurtleFest philatelic stamp showing the mail was received in the town’s post office. This is something local postal staff started doing a couple of years ago to promote the festival. (Jeff Helsdon photo)

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

The town’s largest event of the year will be taking to the streets of Broadway this weekend.

“It’s growing every year,” said Turtlefest coordinator Terry Fraser. “Weather permitting, we expect to have an ever-increasing crowd every year.”

Turtlefest starts Friday with the opening ceremonies at the Station Arts Centre at 4 p.m. after a ribbon cutting at the newly-renamed Tillson Parkette at the corner of Oxford Street and Broadway. The opening is also the debut of the Shell of a Place exhibit at the Station Arts Centre that will give gallery visitors a chance to vote on their favourite turtle-themed art.

Then, Friday night, things start to build with a concert at the Copper Mug featuring Chuck Jackson and Tyler Yarema, former members of the award-winning Downchild Blues Band, from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Annandale National Historic Site also kicks off its TurtleFest activities on Friday evening with turtle rock painting, oversized outdoor games, food trucks, and a free outdoor screening of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III movie on the lawn. Families are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs for a comfortable movie night experience.

Saturday’s downtown activities will see things ramp up, with traditional activities, new events, and some modifications to regular features.

Farmer’s Market

The addition of the Saturday morning farmers’ market held in front of the Station Arts Centre is one new feature. There is an additional twist added to the market, though, with musician Rob Cromwell performing, additional “pop-up vendors, Beres Catering offering food, and horse and buggy rides for a fee.

“For most of its 13 years, the Station Arts Centre and Annandale House have been mainstays of TurtleFest “ said Mark Renaud, chair of the TurtleFest Organizing Committee. “Adding the Farmer’s Market this year continues the growth of Tillsonburg’s signature event, offering free fun for everyone.”

“The Tillsonburg Farmer’s Market is excited to join this year’s TurtleFest” said market president Chris Stubbe. “It’s great to bring community hubs like the Farmer’s Market together to celebrate all that Tillsonburg has to offer. It is an opportunity for our town to experience the market and get to know the farmers that are part of our community.”

Change continues in the north end of the downtown with the Station Arts Centre’s Creative Imagination Station moving from the north end of Broadway to Bridge Street, which is an addition to the TurtleFest area. The area will feature hands-on craft stations for youth, including face painting, community mural painting, an interactive chalk art station, and photo opportunities with the turtle-themed cutout. In addition, entertainer Tia McGraff will be performing and providing storytelling throughout the noon to 6 p.m. hours the area will operate.

“These activities are designed to encourage creativity, community participation and fun for all ages,” said Station Arts Executive Director and Curator Tabitha Verbuyst.

Food for every taste

Continuing the theme of change in the northern part of downtown, the food trucks will be moved from their former location on Brock Street to a circle in the mall’s north parking lot. Fraser said this was based on feedback received from festival attendees last year. There will also be seating for 200 in the area.

Beyond the dedicated food truck area, there are outside patios at Nectar, the Copper Mug and Carriage House.

Traditional activities

Downtown favourites such as the petting zoo, bouncy castles, Young Entrepreneur Alley and Reptalia exhibit will be returning from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Broadway will be lined with 140 vendor booths, and Fraser said organizers encourage booth operators to have interactive activities at their displays. There will also be a new display of campers, dubbed "Happy Camper Way," on Brock Street.

On the south end, busker Tim Burr will be presenting a lumberjack-themed busker show at 2, 4, and 7 p.m. in front of the main stage. Fraser said juggling chainsaws could be a part of this. Fire Guy busker will juggle fire, swallow fire, and Fraser teased that there is something new.

“He says he has something new in his show this year which is better than what he has done in the past so we are looking forward to that,” Fraser said of Fire Guy.

Annandale House

Annandale National Historic Site activities will continue on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with live turtles, carnival games, Lego Creations featuring a new turtle-inspired pattern for 2026, and a turtle scavenger hunt. An open house will be held at the museum. Some of the exhibitors lined up are: authors Jan and John Everett, the Tillsonburg Horticultural Society, Scales Nature Park, ToroLug lego activities, “Skunk Haven of the Dragon’s Lair” presented by Laurel Beechy, and the Long Point Biosphere region.

“There’s nothing quite like TurtleFest weekend at Annandale House” said Annandale’s Kathleen Watkin. “We’re thrilled to welcome families back to the grounds to Shell-a-brate all things turtles, dive into Tillsonburg’s history and just enjoy the festival together.”

Country roads . . .

The main stage has a diverse lineup, with local talent performing during the day before the Coty Robinson Band warms up the crowd for Canadian country music star Nate Haller. Haller will take the stage at 9 p.m.