MID-DAY MADNESS IN PORT CARLING SATURDAY AUG. 17

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

PORT CARLING — The Hub of the Muskoka Lakes is mad about summer.

And to celebrate another august month, Norah Fountain and the folks at the Muskoka Lakes Chamber of Commerce are hosting their second annual Port Carling Mid-day Madness event Saturday, Aug. 17.

The afternoon festival includes more than 30 businesses taking part, a dozen musicians, a face-painter and a flyboard demonstration.

It’s on from noon to 6 p.m.

“We put a special twist on the Midnight Madness idea last year as so many of shoppers come by boat and flock to Port Carling during the daytime,” says chamber executive director Fountain.

“Many businesses reported they had a record sales day (in 2018) and this year, we have even more stores involved — as well as our signature way of tying the entire village together — with live music from end-to-end.”

Guest are encouraged to check out both sides of the Port Carling locks for great deals in both downtown and uptown Port Carling.

Musicians such as Jamie Sherman, Ian Thurston, Neil Hutchinson, Mike Lewis, Briar Summers, Christine Hutt, and four-piece band Tom’s Café, among others, will be playing throughout the afternoon.

Children can get their faces painted on Maple Street near the Muskoka Emporium.

Summer Water Sports will put on a flyboard demonstration in the Indian River near Turtle Jacks.

All stores are invited to get involved. Any business that has a storefront in Port Carling can put sale racks on the sidewalks and find unique ways to entertain Midday Madness visitors.

“We couldn’t do it without as many businesses taking part, and we owe special thanks to our lead sponsors, the Township of Muskoka Lakes and Chestnut Park Real Estate Limited, Brokerage for supporting our efforts to boost downtown Port Carling.”

For more information, contact Midday Madness organizer Katelyn Broad at the chamber at 705 762 5663.