Large summer festival cancelled after 21-year run in Mississauga, Ontario

A summer festival that took over Mississauga’s lakefront on Canada Day has been cancelled.

Paint the Town Red, which has been celebrated in Port Credit every July 1 since 2003, will not be taking place this year but organizers vow the festival isn’t finished.

A notice posted on the festival’s Facebook page says the decision to cancel this year’s event was made “due to limitations in funding, increasing operational expenses, logistical difficulties, and ongoing economic instability.”

Paint the Town Red is known as one of the city’s liveliest festivals by turning the country’s birthday into a day-long affair.

The day starts with a parade along Lakeshore Road then continues with live music in Memorial Park, street performers, food vendors, and plenty of activities for kids. The event is topped off with a large fireworks display at night.

“Sad news. I don’t like to attend to many things but I looked forward to this every year.” wrote one commentator in response to the social media post.

“Heartbreaking to read this, we love this event on Canada Day,” wrote another.

The brainchild of John Bozzo, the operator of La Villa Bakery and Café, the festival started as a way to acknowledge civic and national pride, and to showcase and celebrate Canada’s diversity.

From humble beginnings, it has grown each year in terms of size and activities and along with it, the crowds who have participated in the family-friendly environment that is free to enjoy.

Organizers say they will now take the year to regroup and work towards bringing Paint the Town Red back in 2026.

“This was a difficult decision, and we understand the disappointment this will cause,” the online message to patrons says. “We appreciate your understanding and support during these challenging times and look forward to coming together as a community in the future.”

With the news, many fear this could be the second major festival to be lost in Mississauga. In 2022, the Waterfront Festival folded after 25 years along the lakefront.