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MANITOWANING—Southeast Manitoulin Lions Summerfest is among the most highly anticipated events of the Manitoulin Island summer calendar and this year’s edition promises to be better than ever.

“We are hoping for a great weekend with lots of people coming out,” said Southeast Lions Club President Lisa Hallaert. “We have two awesome bands playing, Rural Roots on Friday and Stagecoach playing at the dance on Saturday.”
“This year we have upped the prizes for both the truck pull and the smash-up derby,” said Ms. Hallaert. “This year we have something a little extra fun; we will have a dunk tank. So come try and dunk a politician, maybe a teacher, journalist, you never know who might be sitting there.”

Events start out on Friday, July 17 at 6 pm for the start of the ball tournament, while also at 6 pm the Family Glow Dance will start. From 8 pm to midnight, it’s the Party in the Pavilion live dance featuring Rural Roots and Friends (must be 19 and over to enter).

On Saturday, kick the morning off right with a Pancake Breakfast at Knox United Church before stepping out at 11 am to take in the ‘80s-themed parade.

The ball tournament continues through the day, and there will be indoor and outdoor vendor markets, as well as a food pavilion with burgers, hot dogs, snacks and pop.

Starting at noon and continuing through to 4 pm will be the aforementioned dunk tank and inflatables for the kids. From 8 pm to midnight, it’s the Party in the Pavilion again, with a live dance featuring Stagecoach (must be 19 and over to enter).

On Sunday morning there will be truck pull events to warm everyone up for the main event, the ever-popular demolition derby which starts at 1 pm at the Manitowaning Fairgrounds.

As is the norm, ongoing attractions throughout the weekend include 50/50 ticket sales and licensed Beer Gardens.