(L to R) KHR, Community Development, Colton Charbonneau - LV Reeve Keith Watt - Petawawa Deputy Mayor Theresa Sabourin - Eric McGoey, VP Corporate Affairs for CNL - Deep River Mayor Suzanne Deon - WWR Mayor Neil Nicholson
Even though old man winter is still front and centre in The Valley, planning for the 2026 Water and Dirt Festival kicked off late last week with the presentation of a cheque for $20,000 at CNL. Canadian Nuclear Laboratories will once again be the lead sponsor for the summer event.
Colin Coyle, Manager of Recreation and Tourism with the Town of Petawawa, is once again at the helm of planning the event, which has grown into one of the highlights of The Valley’s summer calendar. Coyle says he wants to keep the festival at what he calls a “grassroots” level, rather than turning it into a flashy, corporate-style event — the very appeal that has drawn people from far and wide. In its upcoming fourth year, the Festival has grown exponentially while still maintaining its original feel.
Coyle is grateful to CNL for its support this year and over the past three years:
The partnership between Water and Dirt and CNL is no accident. Coyle says the two entities align well in terms of their shared concern for the environment, and both are synonymous with Valley life:
Eric McGoey, Vice-President of Corporate Affairs with CNL, was on hand to present the cheque to Coyle. He agrees that the partnership helps showcase CNL in the kind of light that best represents the organization:
The Festival runs from August 1 through 16 and promises activities for people of all ages and backgrounds. More details about the Festival and its events will be shared as the start date draws closer.
(Written By: Richard Evans)