Starting at 2 p.m., the festival had many activities, such as a bouncy castle, face painting, a horseshoe tournament, horseback riding, volleyball, and even a firetruck for kids to explore.

When attendees wanted to relax, they could do so to music by The Barn Burners band which travelled from Ottawa to play country and rock tunes for the crowd.

The event was put on by the Waltham Recreation Association, which has been working over the summer to bring more activities and events to people living in the community.

“We’ve done it just to have a time and day that the community is all together at once,” said RA volunteer Megan Kelly. “You can catch up with neighbours and friends, and it also gives back to the community, because they support us all year.”

The RA first hosted the summer party in 2016, and again in 2017, but burnout among the organizers as well as the COVID-19 pandemic put the event on hiatus until this year.

“Now we’re just trying to bring it back,” Kelly said.

Many people were having a blast, including Rose Rochon and her granddaughter Carmella Cloutier, who was visiting Rochon in Waltham for the weekend.

“We brought her to come for the festivities and have some fun,” Rochon said, as the two waited in line for a pony ride.

Rochon said they were tempted by the bouncy castle but it had filled with rain throughout the day’s sporadic rains so decided to opt for a dryer activity.

“This community is such a tight-knit community, so to see all these friends and neighbours come together, that’s probably the highlight for me,” Kelly said.

“We’re coming back bigger and better than ever and we’ll hopefully see it again next year.”

Some members of the Waltham RA who helped put on this year’s Summerfest are (back row, from left) Travis Burnie, Megan Rochon, Ashley Godin, Melissa Pilon, Tina Pilon, (front row, from left) Brittany Harkins, Anne Romain, Lily Fournier, and Michelle Vanasse. Photo: Leiya Fischer

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