Behind the fireworks, midway lights, and music is a community choosing year after year to keep a tradition alive.
For 50 years, the Mudcat Festival has been woven into the story of Dunnville. It is more than a weekend of events. It is memories of fireworks over the river, cheering crowds at the Bed Races, Grease Pole, kids proudly learning to catch fish at the derby, live bands on the river, and families gathering together year after year.
But behind every parade, concert, fireworks display, and community event is something many people never fully see — the ongoing effort it takes to keep a tradition like this alive.
Community festivals across Ontario continue to face rising costs, increasing insurance requirements, volunteer shortages, and the challenge of securing sponsorships year after year. The Mudcat Festival is no exception. What began in 1974 by the Kinsmen as a way to support and energize the local economy quickly grew into something much bigger than anyone imagined.
And while the 2026 festival is proudly celebrating its 50th anniversary, anyone doing the math will quickly realize that 1974 to 2026 is actually 52 years.
Organizers made the decision not to count the years the festival did not operate during COVID-19. However, while researching historical archives to prepare for this year’s celebration, volunteers also discovered another year decades earlier when the festival did not take place after it had grown beyond what organizers at the time could realistically manage. But Dunnville rallied.
Families, shoppers, and visitors filled downtown Dunnville during the opening night of the 50th Anniversary Mudcat Festival, enjoying local vendors, community displays, and the vibrant street atmosphere. Photo by Loretta Ward Photography.
Community groups, including the Lions Club and countless volunteers, stepped forward to help keep the tradition alive over the years, with the Dunnville Chamber of Commerce eventually taking on the role of organizing and carrying the festival forward for future generations.
Still today, many community organizations continue to share resources to support the festival both financially and through volunteer efforts, helping ensure the tradition remains strong.
That history is a reminder that the Mudcat Festival has never survived because it was easy. It has survived because this community continues choosing to fight for it.
The Mudcat Festival is important to Dunnville’s commerce because it brings outside dollars into our grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, fashion stores, and many other local businesses,” shared Don Zynomirski of the Optimist Club of Dunnville.
For many people, the festival is tied to hometown pride and memories shared across generations.
“No matter what is happening in life or the divides people may face, the Mudcat Festival has a way of bringing our community together,” shared Kate Owen of Trophy Plus.
“It brings something special back to Dunnville each year — a spirit of positivity, community pride, and businesses coming together to celebrate and support one another. It reminds people why they fell in love with this town in the first place.” says Debb Davies, Debb’s Cuisine on Queen.
That sense of togetherness is one of the reasons sponsors, volunteers, organizations, and businesses continue stepping forward year after year to support the event — despite the growing challenges that come with organizing large community festivals.
We are so proud to be part of a community where people constantly come together for the greater good and put every effort into supporting community events that hold countless memories within family lineages spanning all these years.” shared Terri-Lynn Bayford of Canadian Tire Dunnville.
“You see grandparents sharing stories, parents reliving memories, and kids getting excited about something new. It brings people together through a shared passion” added JP Salgueiro, owner Klear Kustoms, and Car Show Ambassador
The Mudcat Festival has always been about community, family, and seeing kids smile. I started collecting Hot Wheels to hand out at the parade years ago, and now the kids actually know me as the ‘Hot Wheels guy.’ This year we’ve saved up over 5,000 cars to give away because moments like that are what make small-town traditions so special.”
— Gary Croxon, Memory Motors, Car Show Sponsor
Deb Thomas (Prom Queen), Becky Barrick (1st Princess), Susan Hedley (2nd Princess)
For our business, being involved is more than sponsorship — it’s a chance to give back to the community that supports us all year round,” shared Jeff Riley of Pet Valu, sponsor of the parade.
“Heaslip Ford is honored to support the 50th Anniversary Mudcat Festival, such a storied tradition in Dunnville’s rich history,” shared Rob Phillips presenting sponsor of this years car show.
“It’s the one time each year when people can come together with friends and family to enjoy the events, competitions, and traditions that make our small town so special,” says Sam Thompson, owner of Iron Haven Gym and Strength Competition Sponsor.
“Traditions like the Mudcat Festival are important because they pass experiences, pride, and community spirit down to the next generation. They teach the importance of volunteering, teamwork, and what can happen when people come together for something bigger than themselves. Long after the events are over, families still talk about who climbed the Grease Pole, ran the Bed Races, or caught the biggest mudcat — and those stories become part of Dunnville’s legacy.” — Jen Robertson, Royal LePage Real Estate Agent
Others reflect on the festival through the lens of personal memories that have stayed with them for decades.
“Growing up in Dunnville, I always looked forward to June because it meant the Mudcat Festival was here,” says Andrew Griffin of Joe Dirts Garden & Stone Depot, sponsor of Music on the Grand and the fireworks. “No matter how much older you get, or how many people move away over the years, everyone always seems to come back home for that weekend. It turns into a hometown reunion filled with familiar faces, memories, and community pride.”
“…attending Dunnville High School when it all started, it felt like everyone was involved in Mudcat somehow — whether it was the parade, the games, or the dance,” shared Debbie Thomas, yearly volunteer and member of the Horticultural Society. “It was truly a coming-of-age event for me. My first time in the parade was in 1976, sitting atop the back seat of Al McGregor’s beautiful convertible representing Dunnville High School as Prom Queen. It’s a memory I still cherish today.”
“As a kid growing up in Dunnville, the Mudcat Kids Fishing Derby was always one of the highlights of my year,” shared Zak Keyes owner of Watertite Roofing, and co-sponsor with Grand River Outdoors, of the Kids Fishing Derby. “I still remember being about 8 or 9 years old and winning a contest where you had to identify a dozen Great Lakes sport fish from a poster display. My dad often worked out of the country back then, so my mom would bring me to the derby every year and patiently untangle my fishing line whenever I made a mess of it. Since my dad has a degree in Fisheries Biology, I remember being so excited to tell him about my big win the next time he called home.”
“Traditions like the Mudcat Festival are important because they help bring the community together through shared experiences that create memories for families of all generations,” says Cathy
Noble of Tim Hortons, a sponsor of the fireworks. “By sponsoring the fireworks display, it brought back memories of raising our children in a small-town and seeing the smiles and excitement on young faces.”
Those stories are exactly why many believe the festival continues to matter so deeply today.
Parents, grandparents, and kids sharing one of Dunnville’s favourite traditions at the Mudcat Kids Fishing Derby in Wingfield Park.
One of the many traditions that continues to bring people together each year — the Mudcat Festival Classic Car Show at Lions Park.
“I want this for my kids, and I hope one day they will want it for theirs,” shared Marianne Kidd, Coordinator of the Mudcat Festival. “The magic of a community coming together for a common goal is something truly special —and the Mudcat Festival reminds us every year what can happen when people choose to build memories together.”
“There are not many fairs, circuses, or wonderful experiences left for kids to enjoy the way many of us once did growing up. The Mudcat Festival gives families a chance to slow down, be together, and create memories that kids will carry with them for years. We need to keep it going for today’s children — and for their children one day too.” encourages JoAnn Cole, Queen’s Merritt Room
And honestly, that’s not something every small town still has.
“The Mudcat Festival survives because each generation decides it matters enough to keep showing up.” — Sheri Croxon, Owner of Dunnville Craft Emporium
Because volunteers continue showing up after long days of work. Because sponsors continue investing in something bigger than advertising. Because families keep bringing their children. Because people who moved away still come home for Mudcat weekend.
And because, year after year, Dunnville chooses to keep the tradition alive.
To those who keep the Mudcat Festival alive today — and to the generations of volunteers, sponsors, organizers, and community members who have carried it forward over the past 50 years — thank you.
To learn more about the history of the Mudcat Festival, explore this year’s events, or find ways to support and get involved, visit the official Mudcat Website: dunnvillemudcatfestival.com.
This article was originally published in the May 2026 edition of the Port Colborne–Wainfleet Monthly. We gratefully acknowledge the publication for helping share the story of the 50th Anniversary Dunnville Mudcat Festival with readers throughout the region.
Republished here as part of the Dunnville Mudcat Festival’s historical archive.
The Dunnville Mudcat Festival is made possible through the support of volunteers, sponsors, community organizations, local businesses, participants, and visitors who continue to keep this tradition alive. Thank you for helping us celebrate 50 years of community, memories, and Mudcat spirit.
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