Crowfest Draws Thousands to Downtown Chatham

A Booming Success for Chatham-Kent’s Crowfest 2023

Another great reason to live in Chatham-Kent is the amount of excellent Summer festivals that are right here in our wonderful community. 

The third annual Crowfest in Chatham-Kent exceeded expectations by drawing thousands of visitors, thanks to its early fall scheduling and perfect weather. Crowfest organizers, opting to move the event from mid-October to September, were met with sunny skies and temperatures reaching over 30°C on the final official day of summer. The downtown streets of Chatham came alive with energy as the festival kicked off in full swing.

Perfect Timing for a Perfect Day

By shifting Crowfest earlier in the year, organizers ensured that visitors could enjoy the last warm days of summer. The decision paid off in a big way, as Andrew Thiel, co-chair of the event, noted record attendance. "The streets were absolutely packed on Friday," he said, predicting over 40,000 people would have attended the festival by its close.

The festival offered a wide array of activities and entertainment, including 15 world-class busking acts, over 110 vendors, and countless crow-themed contests.

Downtown Chatham-Kent Comes Alive

In addition to the entertainment, the sense of community was palpable with over 150 volunteers contributing to the event’s success. Local support was described as “absolutely amazing,” with the festival's growth proving to be a perfect fit for downtown Chatham.

With this year’s event expected to surpass attendance records, Crowfest has solidified itself as a must-attend event for locals and visitors alike. The inaugural Crowfest in 2022 received provincial accolades, being named Ontario’s best new festival in the $100,001 to $500,000 category by Festivals and Events Ontario.

For those interested in future Crowfest activities and to see the festival’s complete schedule, visit crowfestck.com.