Celebrating what was once little more than a large nuisance bird for Chatham-Kent is on the agenda this week.
Chatham-Kent Crowfest takes place Sept. 18-21 in downtown Chatham.
Crowfest got an early start with the home decorating contest. It began in early September, with top prize being $500.
As for the rest of Crowfest, world-famous buskers will perform once again. There will also be an Olde Crows Tea on Sept. 18, C-K’s Got Talent the same day, the MasCROWade Ball on Sept. 19, a Crowfest Costume Contest, and Busk After Dusk on Sept. 21. Artists will be creating works at various shops in the downtown area during Crowfest as well.
This is the first year Crowfest, which turns three, will take place in September. The first two renditions occurred in October. Canniff said the fall climate led organizers to move it up a month.
“Weather, weather and more weather,” he said of the reason for the move to September. “In October, we were looking at colder temperatures. And for the first two years, we had really cool temperatures.”
He added rain fell for part of the event last year.
However, the idea behind Crowfest was to celebrate the large black birds at a time when murders of the birds left farmers’ fields to return to Chatham in numbers.
“The original design of Crowfest was to be around Halloween and around where the crows came back to Chatham,” Canniff said.
The fall was also appealing because of a dearth of other events to the point organizers didn’t fear stepping on the toes and encroaching on other local events.
“It’s meant to create some excitement,” Canniff said. “My favourite part is the buskers themselves. We bring them from around the world. It’s an opportunity to see these really cool acts live. It’s a great reason to get out with your family and friends. And the beauty is, when you come downtown, it’s all free.”
There will be vendors galore in the downtown as well, with in excess of 100 displaying wares, along with the various downtown stores.
Epilepsy Southwestern Ontario will benefit from a 50/50 draw, with tickets sold during Crowfest, as it has in previous years.
Organizers said they hope to raise at least $15,000 to help support programming in Southwestern Ontario.
ESWO’s services are free and without government funding, so the organization relies heavily on fundraising efforts, donations, and assistance from the community to provide support, information and education to individuals and families affected by epilepsy.
Tickets are available online at rafflebox.ca/raffle/crowfest2024.
Tickets will also be available to be purchased at all Crowfest events using cash or credit.
Canniff said Crowfest would not be possible without the support of countless volunteers and sponsors.
“People are stepping up, volunteering their time,” he said.
