Kincardine Cruise Night, summer events changing course due to Queen Street reconstruction

The popular Cruise Night in downtown Kincardine is shifting gears in response to the Queen Street reconstruction project, slated to run through the summer.

That’s the word from the Municipality of Kincardine, in a press release issued Friday.

Usually held on Friday nights during the long weekends throughout the summer, this year, it will be just one afternoon event, Saturday, Aug. 5, from Noon to 4 p.m., at the Kincardine Airport on Highway 21 North.

“After missing two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the return of Cruise Nights to Kincardine in 2022 was exciting,” says volunteer organizer Don Jones. “With the amazing crowds last summer, we were a little heartbroken to hear the downtown project would interrupt our normal plans, but we also know it’s work that needs to be done.”

The switch to a single-day event allows organizers to gear up for a unique experience including:
 

• Prizes for entrants
• Pop-up vendor booths from local downtown businesses
• 50/50 draw sponsored by the Kincardine and Community Health Care Foundation
• Grand Prize Shopping Spree draw

Kincardine Cruise Day relies on passionate volunteers working together with the Kincardine tourism team to bring this event together. Anyone wishing to join this group should contact tourism@kincardine.ca.

Organizers are looking forward to the Aug. 5 event, and to returning to the newly-refurbished downtown Kincardine in the summer of 2024.

Meanwhile, other events that usually set up in downtown Kincardine during the summer, have also shifted their venues.

The Community Happenings on-line calendar lists events as organizations announce them, which is beginning to fill up with details and more to come.

Events already confirmed for the 2023 season include:
 

• Blinky’s Bash: a kick-off event for the Kincardine downtown reconstruction project, March 18, from 1-4 p.m., downtown Kincardine
• Home and Garden Expo, hosted by the Kincardine and District Chamber of Commerce, April 28-19, Davidson Centre, Kincardine
• Hike for Hospice, hosted by Huron Shores Hospice, May 13, Davidson Centre, Kincardine
• Tour of Kincardine: a cross-town bike race ending at Geddes Park, May 14, Kincardine
• Rock with Your Docs, June 17, Davidson Centre, Kincardine
• Pride Parade and Celebration, June 24, Macpherson and Dunsmoor Parks, Kincardine
• Market in the Park: every Monday, all summer, May 22 to July and July 17 to Aug. 28, Connaught Park, Kincardine; July 10 and Sept. 4, Tiverton Sports Centre, Tiverton
• Piping in the Park with the Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band: every Saturday, July 1 to Sept. 2, Durham Market Square North and Victoria Park, Kincardine
• Canada Day Celebrations, July 1, Macpherson and Dunsmoor Parks, Kincardine
• Kincardine Scottish Festival, July 7-9, Victoria Park and the flats, Kincardine
• Bruce Telecom Lighthouse Blues Festival with five stages, children’s zone, and artisans, July 14-16, throughout downtown Kincardine
• Chantry Chinook Fishing Derby, July 22 to Aug. 6, Station Beach, Kincardine
• Bulldogs Beach Dance, July 29, Reunion Park, Kincardine
• Cruise Day, Aug. 5, Kincardine Municipal Airport
• Gathering of the Bands, Aug. 26, Victoria Park, Kincardine
• Marine Heritage Event, Aug. 26, north pier and along Red Trail, Kincardine

If you plan to host a special event, you can access information and applications on-line at www.kincardine.ca/SpecialEvents.

For more information about other special events and things do in the Municipality of Kincardine this summer, visit www.kincardine.ca/visit.