by Robert Washburn
Organizers of the Waterfront Festival say the weekend event was a big success, despite record high temperatures and an extreme heat warning from Environment Canada.
Early unofficial estimates from the town of Cobourg are between 20 to 30,000 people were at the event on Sunday alone. Parks and Recreation Director Dean Hustwick said there were about 10 to 15,000 people on the beach alone, Sunday.
Lion’s event chairman George Laurencic said many people visiting Victoria Park sought shelter amongst the trees and the refreshment tent during the sweltering heat.
Laurencic said while some midway workers were concerned the numbers dropped slightly, the vendors throughout the park were quite happy.
Rotary Waterfront organizer Linda Kay said their tents along the Cobourg harbour were equally busy. She estimates about 10,000 people went through.
This year, the midway was unable to set up on the East Pier due to structural problems. The rides were moved to the east end of Victoria Park near the pavilion. Both the Lions and the Rotary Club said there was no significant impact due to the change.
Hustwick said the event was a major success. A survey was done on Saturday by tourism staff. The preliminary results indicate many people from outside Cobourg attended and there was a big economic impact, as well.
