Harriston Street Party offers car show, kids activities, downtown dance

HARRISTON – A summer street festival from sun-up to well after sun-down is set to take place on Aug. 12 in downtown Harriston.

The 2023 Harriston Street Party kicks off with breakfast hosted by the Harriston Legion from 7:30 to 11am. 

The festivities will continue all day in downtown Harriston on Elora Street, between Arthur St. and Mill St.  

Morning activities begin at 9am and include the Leslie Motors Classic Car Show, which will fill the street with eye-catching vehicles until 2pm. 

From 10am to 2pm, attendees can also shop the Minto Makers’ Market in Tannery Park and at sidewalk sales offered by local businesses, and grab lunch at food trucks or the Harriston Historical Society barbecue.

Between 2 and 5pm, there will be a variety of kids and family activities, including a “foam party,” an inflatable obstacle course, a photo booth (take home your own prints), the magical talents of Ken the Magician, balloons, and face painting, as well as activities with the Grey Wellington Theatre Guild.

Youngsters can also make up their own cool treat with Harriston Rising’s Sundaes on the Street event. 

Full schedule

Activities will be available at specific times. Visit harristonrising.ca to view the full schedule.  

Adults can enter a euchre tournament hosted by the Harriston 55+ Club starting at 2:30pm. Register at the Town of Minto office, LaunchIt office, or online on the Harriston Rising website to play cards for a chance to win prizes.

Tickets were sold in advance only for this year’s “BBQ on the Boulevard,” offering a pulled pork platter, complete with sides and dessert, catered by the Smokin’ Pig. Tickets include free admission to the evening’s street dance. Deadline to purchase barbecue tickets was by Aug. 4 but those of age of majority are welcome to head downtown after dark for the annual Harriston Street Dance from 8pm to 12am for a $5 cover charge.  

“We urge you to visit the website to see the detailed schedule of the entire day so you can plan your visit,” says marketing and community development coordinator Erin Raftis. 

“We also would like to remind everyone that kids’ activities will be in the afternoon from 2pm to 5pm this year and are bigger and better than ever.”   

For more information, visit harristonrising.ca, follow @harristonrising on Facebook and Instagram, or email erin@town.minto.on.ca. 

Community News Staff