The Mississauga Waterfront Festival

BY DANIEL FORRESTER

Over the weekend, Mississauga’s waterfront festival returned for the 19th year. Bringing the spirit of the Pan Am Games to Port Credit Memorial Park, with all the food trucks, drinks, animals, contests and live entertainment visitors could ask for.

Unfortunately, it rained on Friday and Sunday, but that couldn’t stop the crowd from enjoying all the festivities.

“It kind of sucked that it had to rain, but [my boyfriend and I] didn’t care. And apparently no one else did either,” said Natalie Spencer, 28.

Spread across three days of fun, MWF featured exotic Asian foods, prize giveaways, games and rides for kids, with plenty of entertainment for adults. Music lovers celebrated with beer purchased from the Lion’s Club tent near the main stage, and roamed through different clothing pavilions and other business vendors in-between sets.

 

“I swear every year I come out here just for the food and music. This year, they’ve got some new stuff over there that I’ve never seen before. Like oyster omelettes and squid lollipops,” said Karmichael Fletcher, 54.

Under the gazebo, there were Capoeria Baila Boogaloo salsa performances and lessons, Ecuadorian flute players and The Magic of Rhythm African Celebration educating the crowd on African drum music.

Kids got the chance to go wild and have fun at sports zone, with activities like rock climbing, archery and sumo wrestling, and next to that was a Ferris wheel with a traditional style carnival. The Ontario Dock Dogs also made a splash jumping in pools of water to show off their big air, speed retrieval and extreme vertical skills.

The kids also got to meet their favourite cartoon heroes including Hansel and Gretel, the Ice Queen and Ice Princess, Spider-man and the Ninja Turtles. There was also breakdancing and martial arts lessons inside the Dave D’eyre Square.

“There’s food everywhere! My son said all he wants to do is ‘eat that big onion thing and climb the rock wall’. I absolutely love southern style ribs, so this festival is perfect,” said Trisha Douglas, 32.

 

Event Performance Schedule:

• On Friday, The Credit Went Country, opening with a number of country singers bringing the southern sounds of folk music to the park. Artist like: Dj Johnny Rivex, Marshall Dane, Ty Baynton and Kira Isabella.

 

• Saturday was a tribute to classic rock; Rockin’ River Revue hosting bands like: Simply Queen (Queen tribute), Desire (U2 tribute) and The Blushing Brides (Rolling Stones tribute).

 

• MWF wrapped up the weekend with Pan Am Sunday. Former mayor Hazel McCallion commenced the Pan Am flame relay from Celebration Square to the main stage of Memorial park. Where Canadian recording artist, illScarlett welcomed the flame with a performance. Among other bands like: The Port Credit Jazz Band, Carlos Bastidas Band, Axe Capoeria, Baila boogaloo and Dingo.

Don’t forget to cheer for your favourite athlete at this years Pan Am Games coming (July 10–26) & The Parapan Am Games in (August 7–15).