Hello West Hants Business Community
As the volunteer Treasurer for Avon River Days and a local business owner, I want to thank you for helping shape the energy of this event weekend. Whether you stayed open, hosted a pop-up, joined the crowd, or simply made space for the festival to unfold, your presence helped create something unforgettable.
This year’s Avon River Days captured the best of what makes our municipality shine: a sense of togetherness across generations, a packed waterfront, cheering crowds at Friday night’s kickoff, and the constant hum of connection. It was community in action. And if you were near Gerrish Street when the Stadacona band came through, you probably felt it too: that unmistakable chill that tells you something meaningful is happening here. That spirit is at the heart of why we do this.
More Than a Festival
Festivals like this aren’t just about feel-good moments. They’re a tool for economic growth, driving visibility to our downtown and community, strengthening economic resilience, and attracting new visitors who might not have found us otherwise. When community energy and business engagement align, it becomes more than a festival. It becomes a catalyst.
We’ve started gathering data to understand the event weekend’s economic impact. While we’re still collecting input, early highlights include:
• Hotel occupancy reached 98% on Friday and 100% on Saturday
• Food providers reported a 38% increase in sales Friday and 25% Saturday
• Transport companies saw a 5% lift Friday and a 20% lift Saturday
• Local sports organizations raised a total of $2,500 throughout the weekend
These numbers help tell a compelling story for grant and tourism funding applications. They’re also key to growing the festival in ways that benefit more businesses, more visitors, and more residents.
Looking Ahead
Some of our 2026 goals are to deepen our tourism reach while increasing engagement from local businesses. That said, we know not every business sees the same return. Impacts vary based on location, industry, and how festival attendees interact with your offerings. We’re actively gathering feedback and want your perspective. For example, a suggestion from Aunt Lisa’s Ice Cream Parlor is already being implemented for 2026. Your input matters, you see things we might miss.
Gratitude for Our Partners
Events like this thrive when the community side and business side move together. It’s the collaboration between local businesses, event volunteers, and sponsors that makes it all possible. We don’t take that for granted.
If you’re open to sharing feedback, reflections or even a rough sales percentage from the weekend, we’d be grateful. All info is anonymized and used only in aggregate. You can reach myself, Chrissy Jahntz, at treasurer@avonriverdays.ca, or connect with our Chair, Lisa Bland, at chair@avonriverdays.ca. Your insights help us plan with more intention, more inclusion, and more clarity.
Thank you for being part of something bigger, something that celebrates who we are, strengthens where we’re headed, and proves that when community and commerce come together, everyone benefits.
With sincere appreciation,
Chrissy Jahntz, CPA, CGA
Volunteer Treasurer, Avon River Days Society
Co-Owner, Greystone Atlantic Properties
