Old Man Summer being laid to rest in Crystal Beach on August 31
August 22, 2024 at 4:25 AM
The end-of-summer parade is a tradition in Crystal Beach started by American and Canadian cottagers in the early 1960s.
Its premise is quite similar to how it took place many decades ago, but there are some things they can’t do anymore, such as lighting a coffin on fire and pushing it into Lake Erie.
For public safety and environmental reasons, this is something that would likely be frowned upon today, said Jerry Pequeen, co-chair of this year’s event, which takes place August 31.
Starting shortly after 12 p.m., the parade will begin its five-kilometre route at the Crystal Ridge Community Centre, travel down Foxborough Avenue to Rebstock Road, and then to Schooley Road, Erie Road, Derby Road-Queen’s Circle, Victoria Road, and end on Ridgeway Road.
The iconic Crystal Beach event, also known as ‘The Burial of Old Man Summer’, is about “connecting the old with the new,” said Pequeen, referring to the generations of cottagers who have called the area home in the summer for many years, as well as some of the newer faces who began visiting only in recent years.
A previous end-of-summer parade in Crystal Beach. This year’s event will take place August 31. Credit: Kris Dubé | Fort Erie RadioThe Crystal Beach Amusement Park was the focal point of the area until it closed in the late 1980s, long before some of today’s summer residents had a chance to hear about or experience it.
“You meet people on the beach now that don’t even know there was an amusement park,” said Pequeen, who is also involved with Friends of Crystal Beach, the organization that has taken the lead on the parade in recent years.
“It seems to be really catching on this year,” he told Fort Erie Radio in an interview.
There will be floats, classic cars, candy handed out to kids, and involvement from various community organizations.
Someone will also play the role of Old Man Summer and wave to spectators from a coffin on one of the floats. The Fort Erie Fire Department and Niagara Regional Police will also take part.
“The excitement is there,” he said. “We just want it to be a fun event.”
For more information or to register, contact Pequeen directly at (905) 894-2642.
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About The Author
Kris Dubé
Kris is a veteran journalist who has worked in Niagara for close to 20 years. He is also a lifelong resident of Fort Erie, a place he plans to call home and raise his family for many more years.
The dates for the rodeo in Stevensville is wrong. Has it not been updated? No rodeo this year. little confused 🤔
Hi Dodi. The rodeo in Stevensville did happen this year over the Civic Holiday long weekend. As a matter of fact, Fort Erie Radio attended and covered it in person. You can access our coverage of the event here.