Blind River Hometown Hoedown a great success

Blind River’s Second Annual Hometown Hoedown was a grand success. Charlyn Beneteow, the committee’s communications person, says this year’s Hometown Hoedown was definitely a success. She says they estimate that more than 4,000 attended the weekend’s events. Friday started with the demolition derby organized by the Blind River Firefighters’ Association. “The demolition derby was a [...]

Article content Blind River’s Second Annual Hometown Hoedown was a grand success. Charlyn Beneteow, the committee’s communications person, says this year’s Hometown Hoedown was definitely a success. Recommended Videos She says they estimate that more than 4,000 attended the weekend’s events.

Friday started with the demolition derby organized by the Blind River Firefighters’ Association. “The demolition derby was a smashing hit,” says Beneteow. The demolition derby had 11 vehicles take part: four small vehicles, five midsize and two vans.

The winner of the small vehicle event was Don Turner, the midsize winner was Dexter Gardiner, and he winner of the van division was Keegan Bond, who also won best decorated vehicle. That evening the curling club hosted jam session. On Saturday, the main events were the parade which strolled down Woodward Avenue to Town Park.

The parade led off with police vehicles and included walkers, floats from local businesses and organizations, a marching band the Blue Saints from Sudbury, Mississauga First Nation, and it wrapped up with Blind River’s first fire engine – a 1907 horse-drawn fire engine. The parade ended at the midway which provided plenty of fun for the children and a few in the older set with the rides, games and food. That evening was the Outdoor Country Concert and Beer Garden ran from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Town Park.

There were six bands playing, starting with DRYV, Women in Song, Barnwood, Outlaw, Braden Simon and a DJ Johnny Rivex. On Sunday, the attractions were in the downtown area between Hawkins Street and Woodward Ave. There were municipal vehicles on display.

Next to JR’s Pizza were police vehicles, musicians performing, and Science North had a booth by the river. Just off of Causley there was the bouncy land inflatables for the children and face painting. On the east side of the river was the Car and Bike Show that attracted 80 cars, trucks and bikes, including some vintage dating back decades, such as a Ford Mustang from the mid 1960s, a 1952 Ford pickup and more.

The day ended with the fireworks display over the Blind River near Town Park at dusk. The fireworks display was by K&H Distributing Fireworks. “It was a spectacular show,” says Beneteow.

Organizing For the past three years, the Blind River Hometown Hoedown has headed by a volunteer committee. Prior to that Blind River Community Days was operated by the town and its staff. It changed its name to the Blind River Hometown Hoedown in 2025.

The five-member committee includes two co-chairs Nathalie Dubois and Sommer Francoeur; Charlyn Beneteow – communications lead; and Robyn White and Vola Bender. They also had a few subcommittees helping out. Nathalie Dubois agrees with Beneteow’s assessment of the weekend.

“It was an incredible turnout again this year. We’re incredibly grateful to our sponsors and our volunteers. I am pleased.

It was a great turnout,” adding the comments she heard from the public was they are pleased and “it’s bigger and better.” Dubois says this was her third time organizing the event, adding that she got on the committee because she remembered the fun and excitement of Community Days when she was a child. “I wanted my kids and grandkids to experience what I had when I was a kid.”

While the event was a success, Dubois says it is not sustainable the way it is now. “As it continues to grow, so does the workload.” The workload is too much for the small group of volunteers.

Dubois says much of the planning and organizing work is done throughout the year getting the midway, fireworks, the parade and getting the bands. “The planning and the money, all that’s okay.” However, the workload multiples just before everything starts and after it ends.

“If the Hometown Hoedown is going to continue in the years ahead people are going to need to step up and get involved. We need muscles, we need manpower.” She says what they really need is muscle just before, during and after the event.

Where the few volunteers get overwhelmed is the set up before, during and the take down at the end of the event. There is a lot of heavy work to be done to set up and take down venues, stages, tents, the beer garden, and hauling in the supplies needed. “We need a lot of volunteers for that.”

Anyone wanting to help the Hometown Hoedown continue can contact any of the committee members through Blind River Community Days 2026 Hometown Hoedown Facebook page. “We’d be happy to tell them what we need.” She explains that with such help the Blind River Hometown Hoedown could continue to deliver enjoyment and grow.