Festivals & Events

From early spring to late fall, Chatham-Kent is home to some of the best-rated festivals in Canada.

Chatham-Kent, known as the Classic Car Capital of Canada, hosts many car-themed festivals throughout the year. In 2019, our famous Retrofest, June 21 – 22, a salute to classic cars, will be bigger than ever before as we celebrate RM’s 40th Anniversary. See Page ___ for more details.

Late May brings the Blenheim Classics Autoshow (Cruise May 24, Show May 25, 2019), displaying unmodified cars that are 25 years and older.  Don’t miss the Old Autos Bothwell Car Show and WAMBO, in downtown Wallaceburg, which both take place in August.

Look for a new event, East Kent Celebrates, on June 28, parade and fireworks in Ridgetown. Enjoy Tilbury’s Canada Day Fireworks, on June 28.

July is packed with festival activity across Chatham-Kent.

Festival of Nations, held over Canada Day weekend (June 29, 30, July 1) in Chatham’s Tecumseh Park, will celebrate the many cultures that make up our rich community. Visitors will enjoy food, cultural celebrations, music and events that highlight the people from many nations that have come together to make Canada the greatest country in the world.

Rib lovers won’t want to miss Ribfest , from July 5-7, 2019, in Tecumseh Park, Chatham. Rib teams from all over NA come to C-K to compete for bragging rights for making the best BBQ ribs and chicken on SW Ontario.

Wallaceburg will celebrating Wallyfest on Saturday, July 13, 2019. Enjoy a Vendors and Farmers’ Market along with a fantastic Kid Zone.

Food and fun lovers will enjoy the Blenheim Cherry Fest and Sidewalk Days, on July 18, 19 and 20. Don’t miss the carnival rides, fantastic sidewalk sales and cherries served up in many ways.

On July 13, Wallyfest will draw thousands to Wallaceburg for a day of fun and unique activities for kids, shopping at specialized vendors and a farmers’ market.

At the Ridgetown Festival of Porches & Verandahs, on July 27, visitors who pre-book will enjoy Victorian-inspired luncheon on private verandahs, with period entertainers dropping by for a chat.

The annual Wheatley Fish Festival, scheduled for the last Saturday in July, is set in one of the finest fishing spots in North America, and features parades and a Saturday night fish fry.

Boot Hill Country Jamboree, August 1-5, 2019, in Bothwell, features big name country music and lots of room for camping.