Welland FloatFest has been cancelled for 2026, organizers announced, calling off what would have been the popular canal event's 10th anniversary edition.
The event had been scheduled for July 5. In a statement, organizers said the decision came down to safety.
"The decision was made because they couldn't guarantee a safe environment for everyone involved without the full support of all stakeholders," Niagara Daily News reported, citing the organizers' statement.
The cancellation means the full day of activities planned for July 5 will not go ahead, including the signature floating on the Welland canal, along with vendors, live music, shopping and a fireworks show.
All floating registrations for 2026 will be cancelled, organizers confirmed.
In their statement, organizers thanked the volunteers, performers and sponsors who had contributed to the event over the years, saying their efforts were deeply appreciated.
The festival, described as a family event, has drawn crowds to Welland's recreational waterway each summer since its launch, with participants floating down the canal on tubes and inflatables alongside a full schedule of entertainment and vendor offerings.
Despite this year's cancellation, organizers say they remain hopeful FloatFest will return in 2027.
The full statement from the organizing group has been posted online for residents who want more details about the cancellation.
