By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
There’s going to be plenty to crow about in downtown Chatham Oct. 11-14.
That’s when the second annual Crowfest – named one of Festivals and Events Ontario’s best new festivals in 2022 – takes flight.
Many new additions have been made for 2023, organizers said, including enhanced pyrotechnic and busker shows, a pop-up bar featuring speciality drinks such as “blood of a crow,” as well as 90 street vendors who will line King Street for the four-day event.
Only 20 vendors participated last year.
Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff said he’s stoked about what promises to be an “awesome” festival.
“We’re going to have buskers from around the world,” Canniff said at a recent media kick-off event at Turns & Tales Cafe and Bookstore. “This year, when I talk to everybody, people know what Crowfest is,” Canniff said. “This is quickly growing into a regional event, so people from London and Windsor and other parts of Ontario are tuning into this as well.”
Crowfest co-chair Andrew Thiel outlined a long list of planned activities and thanked the volunteers and sponsors who will make it happen.
“This is a record number of companies that have all come together to help us bring this to our town again,” Thiel said.
The presenting sponsors for this year’s event are St. Clair College, Abstract Marketing, Waste Connections and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.
All of the events will take place on King Street, Thiel explained, and four “pitches” will be set up where buskers will entertain. “The Crowbar Lounge,” a temporary crow-themed watering hole, will be set up by the Memorie Lane bar service along with a staging area for the costume contest.
Also new this year, Thiel said, is the Crowmobile, sponsored by Chatham Chrysler, Lally Auto Group and Waddick Fuels; appearances by Rochelle Davis who was in the movie “The Crow” with Brandon Lee, and the Winmar 50-50 draw to benefit Epilepsy Southwestern Ontario.
Windsor busker Jay Henderson, who is charge of lining up performers, said a wide variety are coming to Chatham from afar offering a full slate of awe-inspiring antics including juggling, sword swallowing, fiery hoola-hoops, unicycles and a straight-jacket escape artist who does his stuff while balancing on stilts that are ablaze.
Events include:
Wed., Oct. 11
- 11:30 a.m. – The first Olde Crows Tea, takes place in the Derby Room at Retro Suites, featuring the group Sisters By Choice performing hits from the 1940s to the 1970s. Tickets are $35.
- 5 p.m. – Great Balls of Fire at The Garden on King – Four pyro- performers showcase their talents on the patio. Tickets are $10 and are available at Garden on King or Sons of Kent. The Great Canadian Dueling Pianos will follow at River Rock at 6 p.m.
Thurs., Oct. 12
- 5:30 p.m. – Crowfest Gala Murder Mystery “A Murder of Crows” at the Chatham Portuguese Club. Dinner will be prepared by Brian Machado of Churrascaria Steakhouse. Tickets are $150 and can be purchased at CKTickets or in person at the Chatham Cultural Centre.
Fri., Oct. 13
- 3 p.m. – Buskers and vendors open to the public at 3 p.m. running until 9 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 14
9 a.m. – Art classes commence and run until 11 a.m., and return from noon to 2 p.m.
11 a.m. – Buskers and vendors open to the public.
1 p.m. – The costume contest with a first prize purse of $2,500, will be held. Art classes, live art demonstrations and musical entertainment are also on tap.
8:30 p.m. – The popular 19+ Dusk After Busk wrap-up party is set for Saturday night at the Sons of Kent. Tickets are $10.
While some of the events have admission fees, many activities are free to the public and fun for the whole family. For a full list of what Crowfest has to offer, visit crowfestck.com. Volunteer opportunities are still available and contacts can be found on the website.
