Heritage Festival is all about bringing people together to celebrate the making of memories. The Burk’s Falls & District Historical Society and Township of Armour have partnered since 2017 to host Heritage Day. This year, we are moving the event to the Burk’s Falls Fairgrounds. Thanks to the Agricultural Society.

Not only has the event changed venue it has changed in title from Heritage Day to Heritage Festival.

It will take place on Saturday, July 8 and run from 11 am to 3 pm.

This year we will be bringing a car show to the list of attractions. The support from local businesses and organizations has been beyond impressive. There are 24 different awards up for grabs at this point. Pre-registration of vehicles for the car show is required so that we can plan for proper spacing on the fairgrounds. Jim Percy, a local car show enthusiast has agreed to help co-ordinate the car show and has been able to get us some sponsorship from Asylum Hotrods and 705.Blackfly. It’s been a real pleasure working with everyone on this additional attraction. Jim is the one that has made the car show such a success and we look forward to working with him for years to come.   Asylum Hot Rods will be creating a master trophy for the firefighter challenge and the Heritage Festival’s car show award. I’m excited to see his creations. The master trophies will be kept at the Watt Heritage Centre and brought out annually for the event.

At high noon, five fire departments from the Southeast Almaguin Firefighters Departments, Burk’s Falls, Kearney, Magnetawan, McMurrich/Monteith and Perry will converge on the fairgrounds and compete in their annual challenge. The firefighters always bring in a big crowd. After their challenge, the firefighters will have a Mini-Challenge for kids called the Drag, Crawl & Squirt Challenge and consists of an 80 foot inflatable course. At 2:30, the firetrucks will be creating the biggest water sprinkler in town and cool everyone down that wants to take on the Sprinkler Run.

For the second year, a vendor’s market will be there too. We have over 60 vendors, selling all kinds of crafts, services and merchandise. No doubt, there will be something for everyone there. Karen Fraser has agreed once again to help co-ordinate the vendors market. It certainly takes a team of dedicated volunteers to make an event great.

UFC Fighter, Kyle the Monster Nelson will be demoing his pad work skills, he’s our local celebrity that not only charms the crowd, he’s an impressive supporter of community events.

We’ve got Allways Antique Photos coming up from Niagara Falls and taking free digital portraits of those that want to dress up and step back in time. We’ve got the Christina Hutt Band playing live music, Reptile Adventure Camp, Dunk a Politician Dunk Tank, Ken the Balloon Dude, Inflatables, several food trucks and 3 military groups coming from the Canadian Forces to showcase military equipment.

We’ve recently received word from the Burk’s Falls Legion that they will host a pancake breakfast that morning. With the legion being next door to the fairgrounds, it’s a good way to kick off the day. They will remain open to serve alcohol in the afternoon.

Heritage Festival is setting up to be a fun-filled day for every age. Admission is free, free bottled water and free popcorn will also be available. The intent is to create a venue where we bring people together and not to be an event that costs to have an afternoon out.