With the spring weather comes more visitors to Main Street Unionville, and building excitement for the summer ahead.
This year there is more to get excited about as the Unionville Festival finally returns to Main Street after a two-year COVID hiatus.
“It’s about time,” said Sara Sterling, Executive Director of the Unionville BIA. “We have had so many inquiries from residents and visitors about the festival, and we are thrilled to let everyone know it will be coming back on Saturday, June 4.”
This is the first year in the festival’s history that the Business Improvement Area will be the host of the event, taking it over from an amazing volunteer crew that used to manage it.
The UBIA’s main goal is to highlight its small businesses that have had such a rough time throughout the pandemic and encourage festival-goers to support them as much as possible.
In addition to the shops and restaurants showing off their wares on the sidewalk favourite booths from the past will return and offer their usual unique items and delicious treats.
It will also be a great chance for some of the newer businesses on the street to meet and greet locals they haven’t met yet, and feature their best selling items.
“We are really looking forward to our first festival here on Main Street,” said Kash and May from JW Cosmetics at 155 Main Street. “We opened during the pandemic and now is our chance to really get to know everyone and help them find the beauty products they need right here in our store.”
In additional to eating and shopping, festival activities will include entertainment and performances at the Bandstand, a new “Chill Zone” in front of Crosby Arena, live music along the street, kids activities and more. As things remain in a post-Covid state there will be no parade or fireworks, but organizers are promising there will be plenty of other fun for people of all ages.
Many local corporate businesses are generously supporting the event with sponsorship.
“The festival is a perfect opportunity to showcase our special street and community,” said George LeDonne, the Presenting Sponsor from Ledgemark Homes. “It’s a great time for everyone to experience and enjoy all of the wonderful things Main St Unionville has to offer.”
Other sponsors include Kingdom Canada, Watford Group, Kylemore Communities, Minto Homes, Pfaff BMW Markham, Lashes N’ Lipstick and LeBanc Development, Don Hamilton and Reid McAlpine.
The festival takes place June 4 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Festival schedule, road closure information and other updates can be found on the UBIA website at unionvilleinfo.com.
Photo (l-r): Councillor Reid McAlpine promotes this year’s Unionville Festival with chair of the UBIA Niina Felushko, UBIA executive director Sara Sterling and festival committee member Sylvia Morris.