CAYUGA—Looking for fun, affordable family activities to add to your summer to-do list? Be sure to save the dates for July 20-21, 2024 as the Cayuga Chamber of Commerce kicks off a brand new annual tradition, the Cayuga Summer Festival.
“We have everything from bouncy castles and a petting zoo for the little ones to exotic cars and food trucks,” said Chamber Vice President Erica Riewald. “We have various vendors, fire safety information, OPP, dragsters, and lots of food and treats! We invite any and all businesses to participate, especially those in Haldimand County. The more the merrier.”
The whole shebang will kick off the morning of the 20th with a townwide yard sale and the annual Station 4 Cayuga Firefighters Breakfast, held from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the firehall. The Cayuga arena will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a variety of vendors inside, while the parking lot will stay open till 7 p.m. for food, animals, cars, and more.
That’s not all though, as the fun will continue Sunday the 21st with a Kids Fishing Derby in partnership with Dunnville-based Grand River Outdoors (GRO). The event will be held by the river in Cayuga from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., with many available prizes to be won and a hot dog lunch available for purchase in addition to coffee and other treats. Sign up for the derby by calling GRO at 905-774-1732; registration is due by July 20.
Those who have lived in Cayuga for a while will surely remember CayugaFest, the once-annual event that began in 2002 and saw its 2019 event postponed a year, which then saw the festival cease alongside many other events during the pandemic.
“I know our town has been wanting a summer festival to come back since CayugaFest stopped about six years ago,” said Riewald. She noted that as this event is run by the Chamber, the focus is on supporting local businesses and giving back to the families who keep those businesses thriving. “This event is more family based, with free events and entertainment, food, vendors, and so much more!”
“Promoting local businesses is what the Chamber of Commerce is all about! Being a Chamber member is about helping out businesses however we can and showing our town that it’s because of our members, events like these are possible! The amount of support and financial contributions our members have put forward has been incredible,” Riewald continued.
“An event like this gives every business an opportunity to get their name and information out, whether it be coming out on July 20 to set up with information on their product or services, or financially contributing with recognition to allow an event like this to even happen. It was without hesitation that this event needed to be geared towards families and keep it a fun day event.”
Putting this event together required a lot of phone calls, emails, and organization, but Riewald said those behind the scenes are happy to do the work, knowing it is important to put on the best event possible with the support and donations that have gone into it from local businesses.
“We have a great committee putting many hours of their busy days to this event. All we ask is people show up and support,” said Riewald.
She thanked the many volunteers who are so crucial to the success of events of this size, noting that a lack of volunteers is the primary reason large festivals eventually end.
“Even if it’s just a couple hours, it all helps,” she said. “We are so excited to hear the response from everyone, so we hope the word can spread that Saturday, July 20 Cayuga is the place to be!”
Over 30 businesses are scheduled to participate, with a variety of food vendors as well, including “Burger Barn and The Ice Cream Truck, River Kings with hotdogs, cotton candy, and other treats, all available to purchase.”
Attendees will be able to hop into the driver’s seat of a dragster, jump to their hearts content in the bouncy castles, and race through a 40’ blow-up obstacle course. Animal lovers can pet and feed llamas and “other cute critters,” all for free.
Attendees will have the opportunity to make a donation on site, should they choose, with any collected donations going toward the second annual Cayuga Summer Festival next year.
For any donations, volunteering, or vendor inquiries, Riewald welcomes your questions via email at riewaldphotography@gmail.com.
So, make sure to get on out and enjoy all that free family fun as the sun rises on a new festival for Cayuga to call its own.
