CLIFFORD – The Clifford Carnival is almost here and officials say it’s going to be the biggest summer celebration yet.
On July 12, from 10am to 2pm, guests of all ages are welcome to a day filled with various events and sights to see.
To showcase one of this year’s newest events, the Demerling’s Garage Auto Show, Elora Street will be closed to traffic.
The downtown show will allow guests to view a variety of vehicles, including antique cars, fire trucks, big rigs and more.
Partnered with this event is the 19-plus Neustadt Brewery Beer Garden.
“I’m hoping for a big turn out,” Clifford Connects committee chair Jennifer Gibson told the Advertiser. “We have a lot of cars coming.”
She has been with the committee since 2022 and this year she has fully delved into all things Clifford Carnival.
Gibson has been planning the event since January.
“Last year we had a good turnout but I want it even bigger,” she said.
The carnival includes kids’ activities, face painting, balloon animals, live music, touch-a-truck, lawn games, a DJ and more.
There will also be the Great Steverino Magic Show at 1pm for all to enjoy.
Guests may come across costumed characters roaming the downtown area as well.
The exciting new event includes a plunge into a dunk tank, with Mayor Dave Turton and various councillor members bravely volunteering. All proceeds from this activity will support the Clifford Food Bank and the committee “so we can continue doing events.”
“We have a lot of vendors coming out and a lot of community partners that are also contributing,” Gibson said.
She noted many community partners were “eager” to help, especially the town’s firefighters.
“They were amazing with every request,” she said.
Gibson noted she wanted something “unique” this year, “just to set us apart from the other events in the surrounding communities. So I pitched the community dog show to get community members more involved in our carnival.”
Along with a professional dog show hosted by the Four Paws Flying Entertainment Dog Show, there will also be a more community-based show.
Guests are encouraged to show off their pup by walking them onto the stage or by doing a trick at the Celebration Square gazebo at 11am.
All participants will receive a prize with a grand prize up for grabs.
The professional show will follow at noon in Cenotaph Park.
Gibson mentioned a large amount of sponsors and how “we’ve been able to make it bigger because of them and I’m very thankful for it.”
