The Cornwall Police Service responded to 289 calls for service over a four-day stretch that coincided with Ribfest Cornwall 2026, the city’s largest annual summer festival, held at Lamoureux Park in Cornwall, Ontario.
The call volume, logged from 8 a.m. Thursday to 8 a.m. on July 27, averaged about 72 calls per day, marking a noticeable increase from the 2025 daily average of roughly 67 calls. Last year, the service handled a record 24,485 calls, the highest level in five years.
Ribfest Cornwall, organized by the Stormont Community Optimist Club, ran from July 23 to 26 and drew thousands of visitors from across Canada. Organizers reported record crowds on Thursday and Friday, with lead organizer Terry Muir noting the strong turnout.
The festival is a significant economic driver for the region, with organizers estimating a roughly $2.84 million contribution based on tourism metrics, hotel bookings, and vendor estimates. The 2024 edition attracted 80,000 attendees over four days.
Full details on the types of incidents are available in the Cornwall Police Service’s media release. The service, which employs about 180 people including 93 officers, has noted increasing demands in recent years.
