Mudcat Festival

About the Festival

The very first Dunnville Mudcat Festival was put on 42 years ago. The Festival includes a parade, midway, strongman/strongwoman competition, street dance, Bavarian garden, live music, children’s entertainment, famous fireworks display, and much more.

The Mudcat Festival is named after Dunnville’s popular fish found in the waters of the Grand River. Dunnville has its own 50-foot Mudcat mascot, named “Muddy”, which many tourists love getting their photo with, since it is the largest Mudcat in Canada.

Carolyn Chymko, festival co-ordinator, has added a wonderful unique feature to the festival. Dunnville will see performances put on by Zacada Circus School this year, featuring a high wire act.

Over the 42 years of festivals, the crowds have grown tremendously to over 60,000 attendees over the weekend of festivities. Saturday always draws in the most people, with the parade in the morning, events throughout the day and a massive fireworks display at dusk. Many of the parade floats look forward to each year’s theme in order to decorate their floats accordingly. Different attractions are added each year in order to entice tourists and locals to continue to come out and take part in the festivities. Dunnville’s quaint small-town feel, and the beauty of the town is also a huge appeal to visitors. The festival has been told many times that the fireworks, put on by Kerr Boom Pyrotechniques, are exceptional and unlike any they have seen before.

The town supports this event with an army of dedicated volunteers and the businesses who sponsor the festival. The festival would not be able to happen without this support. Not only locals, but many visitors come from all over Ontario and even from across the border to attend the festival. The festival crowds are able to see clubs, agencies, and businesses that set up in Central Park, along with food booths, and entertainment in the bandshell.



Events will be posted shortly, however here is a brief overview:

42nd Annual Dunnville Mudcat Festival

Thursday to Sunday: Midway

Thursday: Rob, Zander, and Josh Lamothe perform in Central Park

Friday: Legion Perch Dinner, Teen Dance at St. Paul's, Street Dance at Fire Hall featuring "Evermile"

Saturday: Zacada Circus School to perform their high wire act in Central Park, Bands in Winfield Park include: Jonsey, Dry County, and Renegade, Gator's Award Winning Ribs in Central Park, Car Show at Lion's Park, Strongman/Strongwoman Competition, Dora the Explorer in Central Park, Air Bounce Inflatable Jumping Castles in Central Park, and so much more!