Cornwall’s waterfront will be buzzing with activity Saturday, August 8, as the annual Cornwall Waterfest returns to the historic Cornwall Canal (Lock 19), bringing dragon boat racing and community fun to the city.
The event runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Cornwall Canal, south of Second Street West and Power Dam Drive. Spectators can watch for free as 24 teams with close to a thousand paddlers race along a 200-metre course.
Along with the races, a vendor village will offer artisan goods, local food, food trucks, and family-friendly activities throughout the day. Organizers see the festival as a highlight of Cornwall’s summer, drawing people to the canal for a day of sport and celebration.
This year’s 24 teams mark a jump from the 23 that competed in 2024 and 2025. In 2024, the event attracted more than a thousand spectators, and organizers expect similar turnout this year.
More details are available on the Cornwall Tourism website.
