LITTLE CURRENT—One of the most anticipated events of the summer season will soon be upon us as Little Current Lions Club presents the 56th edition of Haweater Weekend, in conjunction with the Town of Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands. This year, the August long weekend homecoming celebration will be a real treat, given this year’s theme of ‘Haw-lloween.’
Last week’s edition of The Expositor’s Haweater Weekend supplement contains a number of stories and a weekend agenda—but for those who did not get a copy of that edition (heads up, we do have some archived copies) here is a brief synopsis of what visitors can expect in Little Current between today, Wednesday July 30 and Sunday, August 3.
Throughout the weekend, the popular Carver Kings will be plying their trade and showcasing their chainsaw art chops at the old fire hall building on the corner of Meredith and Worthington Streets. Starting 6 pm on Friday, it is the ever-popular Slo-Pitch Tournament down at the Low Island ball fields. Enjoy a brew or two (responsibly please) at the beer tent while cheering on your favourite teams. The lads and lassies of summer will continue on to the championships on Sunday.
The action heats up on Thursday, with Shock n’ Haw Wrestling as the warriors of Live Pro Wrestling hit the ring for shows at 4 pm and 7:30 pm at the NEMI Recreation Centre. The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 177 Little Current will be hosting a wing night with live entertainment.
Friday, the streets of Little Current will be closed to vehicular traffic as a host of vendors will be set up with food, clothing and much, much more—including, new for this year, a cooling mist tent. The NEMI Farmers’ Market will be in full swing as well. While all day, down at the NEMI Rec Centre parking lot the Midway is back!
From 10 am to 4 pm, a silent auction takes place at Little Current United Church, 5 Robinson Street—winners can pick up on Sunday afternoon.
Author and illustrator Ashley Whyte will be offering ‘Tale in Support of Tails,’ a live reading of her 2026 Rescue Pet Calendar at The Expositor Office as a fundraiser for Manitoulin Pet Rescue starting at 3 pm Friday.
There are plenty of dining options available on Friday, including a Legion Steak Dinner at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 177 hall, while live music can be found at Soldiers’ Park cenotaph from 6 pm, courtesy of George Williamson and friends. At 8 pm to 12 am, there will be live music and an open mic at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 177 hall, hosted by Highway 6 and the Legion—this is a licenced event, age of majority only.
Saturday, carvers, vendors, baseball and the midway continue, while fishers hit the waters for the annual Huron Bass Tour, launching from Spider Bay Marina.
At 9 am it’s Yoga on the Docks at, you guessed it, the downtown docks at the east end of Water Street; Psychic Chantelle at Friendleigh’s Flowers and Gifts and the Soapbox Derby on Vankoughnet Street (practice runs at 9:30 am—bring your own helmet),
At 10 am the Breakaway Sports and Cycle Haw Run sets out from the NEMI Public Library at 50 Meredith Street and the Little Current Quilt and Stitchery Quilt Show will take place in the Artisans’ Incubation Centre on the east side of the municipal offices. Get your tickets in for a chance to win a large queen-sized hand stitched quilt and other prizes.
The Lions barbecue starts up at 11 am in the Rec Centre parking lot, while at noon the inflatable bouncy castles will be in full swing down at Low Island.
Beach volleyball starts at noon at Low Island as well, while at 12:30 pm, the massively popular Cardboard Boat races get underway for its 20th edition, with prizes, age categories and a business challenge on the beach.
At 1 pm there are pickleball demonstrations at the NEMI Rec Centre tennis courts.
Manitoulin Brewing Company will launch its annual Block Party featuring live music (a licenced event—age of majority only) from 1 pm to 8:30 pm at its Manitowaning Road location. They will also feature a beer garden downtown on Saturday afternoon at the post office parking lot.
Doors on the famous Hawfest Dance open at 8 pm to 1 pm (doors close at 10:30 pm so don’t dawdle). This year the dance features a twofer—with Pynx Productions on the hockey arena side and New Country Music on the Curling Club side. Something for everyone.
Sunday may be a day of rest, but carvers, vendors, baseball, psychic, the quilt show and the midway continue, while at 10:30 am the Haweater church service takes place at Little Current United Church.
At noon, the Haweater Parade heads out on its traditional route—floats please be in position by 11:30 am.
From 1 to 4 pm there is live music at the cenotaph by Crash Sunday and their good ol’ time rock and roll.
From 1:30 to 4:30 pm, a new event, the radio-controlled car rally will be featured at the NEMI Rec Centre tennis courts.
From 3 pm, down at Low Island, there will be kids’ games and activities, sponsored by the Lions this year.
As an early prelude to the fireworks at dusk, there will be line dancing at the post office parking lot from 5 pm to 7 pm, when the street dance will start up, featuring Pynx Productions.
So, that’s your Haw-lloween Weekend roundup, be there or be square as the old folks say and have a safe and wonderful time meeting up with friends old and new.
