Witches, wizards, muggles and more took over the downtown core of Amherstburg last weekend.
The Amherstburg Uncommon Festival returned last Friday through Sunday with residents and visitors coming out, many in costume, to enjoy Harry Potter, steampunk and more.
The Saturday night drone show, magic shows, hypnotists, “Punch & Judy” puppet shows, vendors, games, falconry shows from Kingsport Environmental, axe throwing from Bad Axe Throwing, costume contests, sandcastle creations, flea circuses, and wand making thanks to a young man named Sully Lowe, who gave back to the community due to the community supporting him through his health issues, were part of the weekend entertainment.
Proceeds from butter beer sales went to the Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission.
The mission said they raised $6,166.65 from the butter beer booth.
Gwen and Olive Beaudoin attended in costume with Olive stating they liked “everything” about it.
“I like the festival,” added Gwen. “I like walking around in costumes. I especially like the magic shows.”
Gwen added she has read the Harry Potter book series, with Olive adding they have been coming to the Uncommon Festival since it started.
Stacey Lyons and her son Finn came down Friday night and enjoyed what they experienced. Watching the owls and seeing people dressed up were highlights Finn pointed out.
“The owls are really cool,” he said.
Stacey estimated it was their third year coming to the Uncommon Festival.
“It’s just a really interesting event,” said Stacey, noting her husband was picked as a volunteer at a show during last year’s festival.
Larissa and Michaela Porteous were in costume, but it was also a nod towards work their family’s theatre company is working on. The Windsor-Essex Community Arts Project (WECAP) is producing “Mary Poppins” next year and they were in dresses their mother Bonnie is creating for that show.
“This is part of the 150 costumes we’re creating,” said Larissa.
Larissa added they came to Uncommon because “it’s fun” and they enjoy dressing up.
“We don’t have to go to Universal Studios to drink butter beer,” she said. “We can do it here.”
Megan Gignac and Ella Laporte of Amherstburg enjoyed the creativity of the festival. Gignac said she is an art teacher, so the festival was enjoyable for her.
“I feel there are more and more costumes,” said Gignac, who said she’s been coming since the beginning. “It’s growing every year. There’s always new things to see.”
Anna Verbridge, Cornelius Briscoe and Nicole Briscoe came down, with Anna joking Nicole got her to do it. Nicole added they enjoyed everything about it.
“It’s lots of fun,” said Nicole.
Gay Peifer of Amherstburg and Susan Knapman of Leamington dressed up and came to the festival Saturday.
“It’s just fun,” said Peifer, adding it is their second year. “Everyone is giggling and having fun.”
Knapman vowed to come back next year with a better costume, noting there were shipping delays this year, but she still had a good time.
“There are a variety of ways you can dress up for the festival and you are not wrong,” she said.
Larissa and Michaela Porteous were in costume, but it was also a nod towards work their family’s theatre company is working on. The Windsor-Essex Community Arts Project (WECAP) is producing “Mary Poppins” next year and they were in dresses their mother Bonnie is creating for that show.
“This is part of the 150 costumes we’re creating,” said Larissa.
Larissa added they came to Uncommon because “it’s fun” and they enjoy dressing up.
“We don’t have to go to Universal Studios to drink butter beer,” she said. “We can do it here.”
Megan Gignac and Ella Laporte of Amherstburg enjoyed the creativity of the festival. Gignac said she is an art teacher, so the festival was enjoyable for her.
“I feel there are more and more costumes,” said Gignac, who said she’s been coming since the beginning. “It’s growing every year. There’s always new things to see.”
Anna Verbridge, Cornelius Briscoe and Nicole Briscoe came down, with Anna joking Nicole got her to do it. Nicole added they enjoyed everything about it.
“It’s lots of fun,” said Nicole.
Gay Peifer of Amherstburg and Susan Knapman of Leamington dressed up and came to the festival Saturday.
“It’s just fun,” said Peifer, adding it is their second year. “Everyone is giggling and having fun.”
Knapman vowed to come back next year with a better costume, noting there were shipping delays this year, but she still had a good time.
“There are a variety of ways you can dress up for the festival and you are not wrong,” she said.
Nicholas Allaire and Donna Hansen of Amherstburg were in full costume Saturday afternoon. Allaire said he went last year and returned this year.
“I’ve always been a fan of anything with swords and sorcery,” he said.
Hansen said it was neat to see everyone in costume and to enjoy something different.
“These festivals are really fun,” she said.
Uncommon entertains Amherstburg
By Ron Giofu
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