Cobourg Waterfront Festival Returns June 29 to July 1

Kick-off summer with entertainment, unique vendors, and fun for all ages

Cobourg, ON (June 19, 2024) – The Town of Cobourg’s Community Services Division is pleased to share the schedule of events for the return of the Cobourg Waterfront Festival and Canada Day celebrations.

The 2024 Cobourg Waterfront Festival takes place from Saturday, June 29 to Monday, July 1, at Victoria Park and the surrounding area. This event is a celebrated community favourite for 35 years, made possible due to the dedicated members and volunteers of the Rotary Club of Cobourg and the Lions Club of Cobourg.

Paired with the Town of Cobourg Canada Day parade and cultural activities in the park, this beloved event has activities for people of all ages. Cobourg Waterfront Festival daily highlights include:

• Rotary HarbourArts: Shopping, snacking, and chances to discover your new favourite things. Location: The Esplanade. Admission to the tents is free.
• Breakfast in the Park: Start your day off with fresh, local strawberries and fluffy pancakes served with real maple syrup and barbequed sausages served by the wonderful volunteers at the Northumberland Central Chamber of Commerce. Location: Victoria Park
• Amusement Rides: ride one of the thrilling adult rides, put your young ones on one of the many children’s rides, or try your luck at one of the numerous games (10 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily). Ticket prices are $2.50/ticket. Each ride is 2-3 tickets per ride. You can get 20 tickets for $45 and 40 tickets for $80, available on-site. Location: Victoria Park
• Lions Marketplace: food, drink, entertainment and shopping. Support your favourite vendors from previous events and perhaps you will find something new to enjoy. Location: Victoria Park

Canada Day Celebrations
The Town of Cobourg Canada Day Celebrations will be held on Monday, July 1 in Victoria Park and surrounding area.

The Canada Day Parade begins at 11 a.m. The Town of Cobourg encourages all who are interested to participate in the parade to register at Cobourg.ca/CanadaParade2024.

Join the Town Council, The Concert Band of Cobourg and York Bell-Smith for the Opening Ceremonies in Victoria Park at 12:30 p.m. After opening ceremonies there will be children’s activities hosted by Home Depot Cobourg in the Lions Pavilion. Canada Day Entertainment at the Bandshell begins at 1 p.m. and continues until 9:30 p.m.

Fireworks display over the harbour will begin 10 p.m. Admission to all areas is free, and everyone is welcome.

Entertainment Schedule
Friday, June 28

• Lions Club of Cobourg presents a Strawberry Social under the Big Tent in Victoria Park, 4:30 – 6 p.m. All proceeds from this event will go towards supporting United Way Northumberland.
• Craft Beer Night| Mad Mans Window | 7-10pm

Saturday, June 29

• 8 a.m.-1 p.m. | Cobourg Farmers’ Market | Rotary Harbourfront Park
• 12-12:30 p.m. | Evey | Bandshell, Victoria Park
• 12:30-1 p.m. | AaLiyah | Bandshell, Victoria Park
• 1-1:30 p.m. | Amy Windsor | Bandshell, Victoria Park
• 1:30-2:00 p.m. | Matt Bazinet | Bandshell, Victoria Park
• 2:00-3:00 p.m. | Jeff Biggar | Bandshell, Victoria Park
• 3:15-4:30 p.m. | Lorn Brown and the Forlorn Worn Down | Bandshell, Victoria Park
• 3:30-6:00 p.m. | Bruce Longman and Don Owen | Esplanade Stage
• 5:00-6:15 p.m. | Backstage Pass Band | Bandshell, Victoria Park
• 6:15-7:15 p.m. | Michael Tremblay | Bandshell, Victoria Park
• 7:30-10:00 p.m. | The Buzz | Bandshell, Victoria Park

Sunday, June 30

• 12-1 p.m. | Michael Tremblay | Bandshell, Victoria Park
• 12:30-3 p.m. | Bruce Longman | Esplanade Stage
• 1-2:15 p.m. | Brighton All Star | Bandshell, Victoria Park
• 2:15-3:15 p.m. | Cale Crowe | Bandshell, Victoria Park
• 3:30-4:30 p.m. | Rubber Duck Cartel | Bandshell, Victoria Park
• 3:30-6:30 p.m. | Tom Leighton and Conrad Kipping | Stage on the Esplanade
• 4:45-6:00 p.m.| Marty & The Mojos | Bandshell, Victoria Park
• 6:00-7:00 p.m. | Jim Murray | Refreshment Tent, Victoria Park  
• 7-10 p.m. | Grace 2: The Tragically Hip Tribute | Bandshell, Victoria Park

Monday, July 1

• 11 a.m. Canada Day Parade along King Street
• 12:30-3 p.m. | Diane Williamson | Stage on the Esplanade
• 1-2 p.m. | The SweetGrass Band | Bandshell
• 2:30-3:30 p.m. | Monkey Mountain | Bandshell
• 4-5:15 p.m. | School House Band | Bandshell
• 5:45-7:15 p.m. | Nitetime Drive | Bandshell
• 7:45-9:45 p.m. | Vinyl Groovz Band | Bandshell
• 10 p.m. Fireworks over the Harbour

Inclement Weather – Fireworks
In the event of inclement weather, the Canada Day fireworks will be postponed to another day. Please stay tuned to Experience Cobourg and the Town of Cobourg Facebook pages for more information.

Free Shuttle Bus
If you would rather not think about where you're going to park while you enjoy your time at the Festival, you can park your car for free at the Northumberland Mall at 1111 Elgin Street West or at the Cobourg Community Centre, 750 D'Arcy Street and catch a complimentary shuttle to and from the Festival.

The shuttle stops approximately every 30 minutes at each of the below destinations during the festival and will bring you right to the festival or back to your vehicle. Please remember that traffic and wait times are beyond the shuttle driver's control.

Shuttle Stops include:

• Northumberland Mall - Bus Shelter
• Cobourg Community Centre - Rear/East Entrance
• Downtown Terminal - Albert Street
• Bottom of Church Street at Perry Street
• Cobourg Marina

The Shuttle runs daily from Saturday, June 29 to Monday, July 1, continuously during the following timeframes:

• Saturday, June 29 • 9:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.
• Sunday, June 30 • 9:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.
• Monday, July 1 • 9:30 a.m. – 11 p.m. (after the fireworks)

 Road Closures

• Friday, June 21 to Tuesday, July 2 - The Esplanade (between east and west lots)
• Friday, June 28 to Tuesday, July 2 - Division Street South of Charles Street
• Wednesday, June 26 to Monday, July 1 - Albert Street Parking Lot
• Friday, June 28 to Tuesday, July 2 - East Esplanade parking lot
• Saturday, June 29 to Tuesday, July 2 - Division Street (South of Albert), Queen Street (from Church Street to McGill), Charles Street, McGill Street

Road Closures on Canada Day, Monday July 1, only:
King Street from William Street to D’Arcy Street will be closed starting at 7 a.m. on Monday, July 1 until the Canada Day Parade is complete. Please note there is no parking overnight on King Street from Sunday, June 30 to Monday, July 1. Cars remaining on King Street along the parade route on July 1 will be ticketed and towed. 

On-Demand Transit
Cobourg Transit will be running its regular hours through the weekend. For more information including how to book, how to pay, and how to use the service please visit the Cobourg Transit webpage or call the Engineering department at 905-372-4555.

Cobourg Transit Hours of Operation are:

• Monday to Friday: 6:15 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Saturday: 8:15 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.
• Sunday: 8:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

Pets
This festival is often hot and busy, so we ask that you leave your pets at home to enjoy the air conditioning. Although we love your furry friends as much as you do, pets are not recommended in Victoria Park and Rotary Harbourfront Park during the Cobourg Waterfront Festival, other than service animals in compliance with the Customer Service Standard under the AODA.

Visit ExperienceCobourg.ca for updates and more information about the festival.  

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