Mayor, council members and others describe parade, fireworks and other events among the best ever
The head of the organizing team for Nackawic-Millville’s 2024 Festival on the Bend thanked the hardworking team members and the hundreds of people who turned out to support the community’s annual summer celebration.
“I must say that all the hard work paid off when you look around and see so many people from the start at bingo, Little Miss Nackawic-Millville, the baby contest, wrestling, Miss Nackawic-Millville and onto the best and busiest Saturday there has been in years,” said committee chair Donna Gagnon.
She said Saturday’s arena was full of vendors and entertainment on the stage, including magic, music, and Elvis, and brought the young and the old.
The festival, which ran from Aug. 13 through Saturday, began with a bingo night and ended with dozens of activities through a busy Saturday in the Nackawic Arena and on the waterfront.
The arena hosted the Little Miss Nackawic-Millville on Wednesday, followed by the baby contest at the Lions Club and CCW Live Pro Wrestling at the arena on Thursday.
Friday evening saw Kayla Grant crowned Miss Nackawic-Millville 2024 at the pageant featuring seven contestants.
Saturday offered a series of events, entertainers and activities from morning to late evening, highlighted by the parade at 11 a.m. and the fireworks over the famous Big Axe after dark.
Entertainers at the arena throughout Saturday included the Logan and Leah Milburn magic show and Jessie Campbell magic, musical performances by Ryker Veins, Kylie Watson, The Millworkers Union and the acclaimed Elvis impersonator Mike Bravener.
Popular local band Double D performed on the Big Axe before and after the fireworks to close out the festival.
“How would one pick their favourite highlight when everything was so good?” said Gagnon. “I loved it all and I must say we might be small but we are mighty and I am so glad to be part of this community.”
During the Monday, Aug. 19 council meeting, Nackawic-Millville Mayor Tim Fox and several council members praised the committee for their efforts.
He noted the large crowds in attendance for the parade and other events.
“It’s the most people I saw in a long time at the festival,” said Fox.
Under the theme “Festival on the Bend gets spooky,” the parade featured numerous entries, including many who embraced the theme.
The float, Myrtle’s Beach After Dark, earned the $500 first prize, while Stewed in Hawkshaw took the $250 second prize. The Hawks Hockey Team captured the $100 third prize, with the Howell family entry garnering an honourable mention and $50.
A large crowd gathered on the Nackawic waterfront Saturday evening to enjoy the music from Double D and take in what several people described as a spectacular fireworks show.
“The fireworks I think were the best I’ve ever seen,” said Nackawic-Millville Coun. Steven Meldrum.
