Festivities kicked off on Friday evening with an eventful lineup of activities, including the chili cook-off, ball games and live music, lasting until the late hours of the night.

A group of volunteers worked the bar, serving refreshments all night long; others cooked up burgers and poutines inside of the canteen on site.

At the ball park, an action-packed double-header took place featuring an old timer’s game followed by a competitive matchup between the Quyon Flyers and the Micksburg Twins of the Greater Ottawa Fastball League.

On Saturday, festivities resumed in the morning, as six ball teams battled it out in a three-pitch tournament.

Plus, with even more avenues for entertainment than the first day, the event featured a long slate of activities, including the small petting zoo, a magician and even a wildlife education presentation courtesy of Little Ray’s Reptiles.

On the grounds beside the arena, kids jumped around in the three huge bouncy castles on site, including one with a large grey wrecking ball that kids were able to swing towards one another. Many had a blast doing it all day.

Early in the afternoon, folks participated in the annual rubber duck race, organized by the Chapeau Lions. At the start of the competition, contestants dropped their respective rubber ducks off the bridge with hopes of being the fastest to the finish line.

At the town’s docks, a crowd of people waited anxiously alongside the finish line made up of a yellow string attached from the dock all the way to the opposing side of the waterway.

A number of local musicians hit the stage in the middle of the park, performing in front of crowds seated underneath a large tent.

The celebration concluded with a performance from a local blues band, The Groove Revival, as folks enjoyed the party atmosphere with great friends and cold beverages.

According to the municipality of Allumettes Island’s assistant director, Sarah Adam, the event is about bringing people together and promoting community involvement.

For Adam, the festival is a very significant party for the town as it gives locals a place to congregate while supporting the community at the same time.

“It brings all our local organizations together,” she said. “We all work together to plan this event. We all try to do a bit of fundraising to support each and every group. And it brings out the community. We get out, we have fresh air, we have some fun. live music.”

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