Leisure Days boosts Old Home Week support with major donation

LAURIE WEIR

The Smiths Falls Old Home Week organizing committee received another financial boost on March 19, as Leisure Days RV Centre Smiths Falls joined as a community partner.

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General manager Dan Butler provided a sponsorship of $10,000, which includes the use of five RVs for the duration of the week-long festival from Aug. 2 to 9, 2025. The RVs will be set up as comfort stations throughout town for the committee and entertainment providers.

Shelly Bradley and Christa Dales Donnelly, co-chairs of this special event, say they are “really busy” as they finalize plans for the centennial celebration in 2025.

“I was a young person enjoying it in 1976, then my kids enjoyed it as youngsters in 2000, and now this one,” Bradley said. In 1975, the town celebrated its 150th anniversary, so Old Home Week was moved to the following year.

This tradition has brought residents and visitors together for more than a century. This year’s celebration promises a mix of nostalgia and new experiences, embracing the town’s rich history while offering fresh attractions for all ages.

One of the most exciting new events is a drone show replacing traditional fireworks. Bradley said it will showcase the town’s history with approximately 200 drones taking to the sky at Lower Reach Park for an extravagant display on Aug. 2. In case of inclement weather, the show may be rescheduled later in the week.

An estimated 30,000 people are expected to visit Smiths Falls for the event, with some former residents planning their summer vacations around the festival.

Old Home Week dates back to the early 1900s, initially created to bring former residents back to their hometown. Over time, it evolved into a community staple featuring parades, live entertainment, sporting events and social gatherings. Families reunite, school alumni reconnect, and local businesses showcase their contributions to the town.

Through the decades, Old Home Week has grown to include carnival rides, talent shows and historical exhibits celebrating Smiths Falls’ heritage. Settlers Days, which spun off from the 1976 event, continued through the 1990s, said Dales Donnelly.

“Old Home Week is more than just a festival; it’s a homecoming,” said Laura Newans, a committee member coordinating partnerships with local businesses. “It reminds us of our roots and gives us an opportunity to celebrate the town’s legacy together.”

With excitement building and preparations underway, Smiths Falls is ready to welcome back old friends and create new memories. Whether it’s a first-time experience or a return to beloved traditions, Old Home Week remains a vibrant part of the town’s identity.

“Some of our newer residents haven’t experienced an Old Home Week celebration,” Newans said. “Now that we’re into 2025, things are really picking up.”

Bradley noted the festival’s uniqueness. “We haven’t found another one that is held every 25 years,” she said. “This is really special for our community.”

Some of the confirmed events include:

• Aug. 2: Opening parade, 1:30 p.m. with the theme, Our Roots, Our Present, Our Future. Starts at Smiths Falls Youth Arena.
• Aug. 3: Wellnessfest: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Lower Reach Park; Drone Show, 8 to 10 p.m.
• Aug. 6: Pickleball Tournament: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Memorial Centre; Youth Talent Show, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Smiths Falls Station Theatre.
• Aug. 7: Night Shirt Parade from 5 to 11 p.m. starting from the Memorial Centre; Movies Under the Stars from 9:30 to 11 p.m. at Centennial Park. 
• Aug. 8: Riverbank Musicfest: 1 to 6 p.m. on Riverdale Avenue. Entertainment by King of Swingers, Roger Plant Trio, 3 to Go, Henry Norwood with Shawn McUllogh, Campbell Woods, Danielle Hewitt, Maeley “Paris Healey”, The Family Name, Tom Watson, Smiths Falls Concert Band and more to come. 
• Aug. 9: DSFBA Summer Social, 11 a.m.; Farewell Concert at Lower Reach Park, 4 to 9 p.m. Lineup coming soon. 

Visit the Old Home Week website for more information and to see all the community sponsorships. Also, if you are looking to volunteer, visit the website for details on how to help.