BY THOMAS FLYNN
Downtown Huntsville was buzzing with activity Saturday as Rotary NyDock Dockfest brought thousands of residents and visitors together for a full day of family-friendly entertainment.
The festivities began with a parade along Main Street, followed by an opening ceremony featuring remarks from Huntsville Mayor Nancy Alcock and Parry Sound–Muskoka MPP Graydon Smith. Local singer Sophie Mann performed the national anthem before the day’s signature events got underway.
One of the festival’s biggest attractions, the annual Bathtub Derby, once again proved to be a crowd favourite. Teams raced customized bathtubs through a challenging obstacle course in heats of six, with each heat winner advancing to the championship round. After an exciting series of races, Lovegrove Construction claimed the 2026 Bathtub Derby title.
While the racing unfolded on the Muskoka River, Rivermill Park was alive with activity as families enjoyed live entertainment, interactive activities and a wide variety of local vendors.
The day concluded with a new addition to the Rotary Nydock Dockfest—a water ski show that wowed spectators along the waterfront. According to members of the executive organizing team, the performance was so well received that it is expected to become a regular feature of future events.
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Great Band leading the parade Thomas . Perhaps you could have mentioned Their name ! Great work Sophie!
With regard to the last story paragraph posted above, I would agree about the continued return of the water ski show, and perhaps the flipping Seadoos and fly boards, but not the Skidoos. I wonder what possessed the organizers to include such a noise generating event in the program…the local audiologists must be rubbing their hands with glee, awaiting future business from the audience members who were exposed to noise levels probably well exceeding 105 dB. It had to be one of the noisiest events ever, and I even had all my windows closed at home in order to save my remaining hearing and sanity.
Additionally, since the Skidoos are not a marine conveyance, was any thought given to their retrieval, and possible environmental issues, should gravitational forces overcome forward velocity?
For sure, huge thanks go to all the volunteers who ran the event..it really does take an army. And a worthy charitable cause….
Oh, and was that a demonstration of a solution to the Towns long standing parking problem I saw on the river…floating parking spaces? (Asking for a friend…lol)