Written By Olena Riznyk
LUCAN BIDDULPH – Residents and visitors gathered at the Community Memorial Centre on Saturday, July 19th for the annual SummerFest, a day-long event celebrating community life with entertainment, local talent, food vendors, and visual arts.
The event featured a wide range of activities for all ages. Enthusiasts of classic and custom vehicles enjoyed a morning showcase of unique cars, while families explored the Kids’ Zone, where climbing structures and paddleboats offered active fun.
A key attraction was the Neon Crab Street Art Competition, which brought together ten artists from across Ontario. Each competitor created a large-scale mural within a limited timeframe, working in public view. The competition was organized by William Graham, a tattoo and street artist who founded the travelling art event during the pandemic.
“We’ve held this competition in Fort Erie, Sarnia, and other towns. Each year brings new artists and new audiences,” said Graham. “This time, we’re especially pleased to have two competitors from Lucan.”
Graham did not participate as a competitor but created a special vertical mural installation for the festival, inspired by the Fantastic Four film. “It lights up at night,” he explained. “The explosion glows, and the eyes shine pink.”
The artist roster included a mix of returning participants and newcomers, including local painters, tattoo artists, and theatre set designers. “It’s always exciting to see different backgrounds come together through public art,” Graham said.
The day concluded with a community concert held at the outdoor ball diamond. The lineup included Roy’s Garage, Highway 21, and headliner Brian John Harwood. The winner of the street art competition was announced during the evening concert, receiving recognition in front of a large audience.
SummerFest was supported by local sponsors, including Quadro Communications, Lucan Drug Mart, and McDonald’s, along with many dedicated volunteers.
The event appeared well attended, with steady participation and positive engagement throughout the day.
