HARBOUR FEST 2026 - paws for a cause
Two Days • One Great Cause
Harbour Fest – Paws for a Cause is Grand Harbour Marina’s year-end celebration, bringing together our members, families, friends and local community for a fun-filled weekend on September 26th & 27th — all while raising funds for Simcoe County Emergency Animal Response. This volunteer organization helps rescue, shelter and care for animals during emergencies throughout our region, and our goal is to raise $5,000 to support their important work.
The weekend will be packed with dockside fun, friendly competition and plenty of laughs, including the Great Pier Chili Challenge & Corn Roast Competition, Dinghy Poker Run, Aqua-Cycle Races, Horseshoe Tournament, Dunk Tank, family games, Beer Garden & BBQ, and, weather and pool conditions permitting, a JAWS-themed kids’ pool party and movie. We’ll also have local vendors, a Silent Auction, doggy nail clipping, a Pet Parade & Photos with Paws & Portraits, and more.
Saturday evening, we’ll turn our attention to the people who make Grand Harbour what it is — our members — with a private Members Appreciation Dinner at 6:00 PM in the Members Lounge, followed by entertainment and an evening of celebrating another boating season together.
At its heart, Harbour Fest is about community, connection and giving back. Every sponsorship, prize donation and fundraising dollar helps support our $5,000 goal for Simcoe County Emergency Animal Response.
Good people. Great fun. Furry friends. One great cause. Welcome to Harbour Fest!
2026 Fundraising Goal
Harbour Fest is our biggest fundraising push of the year. Our goal for 2026 is to raise $5,000 in support of Simcoe County Emergency Animal Response
Thanks to the generosity of our community, we raised over $2,000 in 2025, and we’re excited to build on that momentum as we work toward—and beyond—our 2026 goal.
PAWS FOR A CAUSE 2025
Building on Last Year's Success
Last year, our fundraising event brought our community together and raised more than $2,000 to help animals in need. This year, we’re setting our sights even higher! Harbour Fest – Paws for a Cause is expanding into a full two-day celebration, with a goal of more than doubling last year’s fundraising success.
With even more activities, friendly competitions, family fun, vendors, food, entertainment and plenty of four-legged friends joining the festivities, we’re planning our biggest year-end celebration yet. Every dollar raised will support Simcoe County Emergency Animal Response, helping animals in our community when they need it most.
Two days. Twice the fun. An even bigger impact. Join us September 26th & 27th and help us make this year’s Harbour Fest one to remember!
Celebrate the End of the Season at Harbour Fest – Paws for a
Additional Information
Bring your friends, family and furry companions and join us at Grand Harbour Marina for a jam-packed two-day weekend of fun on September 26th & 27th!
From dockside competitions and family activities to great food, local vendors, pet festivities, fundraising and plenty of surprises, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Best of all, we’ll be having fun for a great cause, with fundraising throughout the weekend in support of Simcoe County Emergency Animal Response.
Come celebrate the season, support a great cause and make some memories at the Harbour!
👇 Scroll below for all the details on the weekend’s festivities!
what's happening at harbour fest
the festivities
LAST CALL FOR VENDORS
PAWS & PORTRAITS PET PARADE
LAST CALL FOR VENDORS
LAST CALL FOR VENDORS!
Harbour Fest – Paws for a Cause is coming to Grand Harbour Marina on Saturday, September 26 & Sunday, September 27, and we still have room for more amazing vendors!
ONLY $10 PER DAY FOR A BOOTH!
And even better — all vendor fees will be donated to Simcoe County Emergency Animal Response, helping animals in need throughout our community.
We’re looking for local vendors, artisans, crafters, pet services, marine & boating businesses, makers and more! This is a great opportunity to showcase your business, meet the community and support an incredible cause at the same time.
Vendor Set up anytime after 9am
REGISTRATION TENT
PAWS & PORTRAITS PET PARADE
LAST CALL FOR VENDORS
REGISTRATION & CHECK IN TENT
Make the Registration Tent your first stop when you arrive at Harbour Fest!
Check in after 9:00 AM each day to get event information and sign up for the festivities you’d like to participate in.
📍 Registration Tent Location:
Entrance to Pier 3, beside the boat ramp
Please note that some activities require advance registration, including the Great Pier Chili Challenge & Corn Roast Competition and the Dinghy Poker Run, so be sure to register early!
Check in. Sign up. Join the fun. And help us support a great cause! ⚓🐾
PAWS & PORTRAITS PET PARADE
PAWS & PORTRAITS PET PARADE
PAWS & PORTRAITS PET PARADE
RED CARPET PET PARADE, NAIL CLIPPING & PHOTO OP
Join us on Saturday, September 26 for our Red Carpet Pet Parade and Photo Op, plus doggy nail clippings proudly sponsored by our local community partner Paws & Portraits
All donations will support Simcoe County Emergency Animal Response and the important work they do for animals in need.
Bring your furry friend, walk the red carpet and help us support a wonderful cause!
Did you know as part of our value-added concierge service for member, we’re happy to arrange the appointment, pick up your pet, take them to the groomer and return them looking and feeling fresh!
DUNK THE HARBOUR HOSTS
PAWS & PORTRAITS PET PARADE
DUNK THE HARBOUR HOSTS
Take your best shot and
DUNK THE HARBOUR HOSTS!
Join the fun at HarbourFest: Paws for a Cause BOTH DAYS on
Saturday, September 26 and Sunday, September 27!
3 throws for $5
7 throws for $10
All proceeds will be donated to Simcoe County Emergency Animal Response
Come dunk your favourite Harbour Host and support an amazing cause!
FAIR WINDS MARINE DINGHY POKER RUN
DINGHY POKER RUN
Get Your Dinghy Ready!
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY
Join us at HarbourFest on Saturday, September 26 for our Dinghy Poker Run, led by our very own Captain Little Shrimp! (Tom)
Cruise between the designated stops in the canals, collect your cards and see which crew finishes with the best poker hand!
$20 per dinghy—includes one poker hand
Additional hands are $10 each
All proceeds will be donated to Simcoe County Emergency Animal Response
Space is limited! Register your dinghy and crew.
THE GREAT CHILI COOKOFF
THE GREAT CHILI COOKOFF & CORN ROAST CHALLENGE!
It’s time to fire up those family recipes and show us which pier has the best cooks! Join us on Saturday, September 26 for a friendly culinary showdown at Grand Harbour Marina.
Enter the Chili Cook-Off, the Corn Roast Challenge or take on both!
Entries will be scored on:
Flavour , Originality, Pier Spirit
Members will represent their home pier. The challenge is also open to non-members, who will be assigned a station on Pier 3.
Bring your dishes ready to serve, along with serving utensils and a complete list of ingredients and allergens.
Who will earn the bragging rights? Let the cooking—and friendly competition—begin!
DOCKYARD GRILL HORSESHOE COMPETITION
HARBOUR FEST PAWS FOR A CAUSE FAMILY FUN GAMES ZONE
PITCH MANAGEMENT AQUA CYCLE RACING COMPETITION
THE DOCKYARD GRILL HORSESHOE COMPETITION!
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY DOCKYARD GRILL
Think you have the perfect pitch? Join us at the horseshoe pits on Pier 7 during HarbourFest for the DOCKYARD GRILL HORSE SHOE COMPETITION! All experience levels welcome!
Saturday, September 26
Sunday, September 27
Each competitor will receive 10 throws:
Ringer — 3 points
Within six inches of the stake — 1 point
Highest overall score wins a gift certificate from Dockyard Grill
Ties will be decided by a sudden-death throw-off
$10 per competitor, including one official round of 10 throws
* Second attempt: $5
* Maximum of two scored attempts per person
* Best score counts
All proceeds donated to Simcoe County Emergency Animal Response
Come take your best shot and see who will be crowned the Grand Harbour horseshoe champion!
PITCH MANAGEMENT AQUA CYCLE RACING COMPETITION
HARBOUR FEST PAWS FOR A CAUSE FAMILY FUN GAMES ZONE
PITCH MANAGEMENT AQUA CYCLE RACING COMPETITION
THE PITCH MARINE MANAGEMENT AQUA CYCLE RACES
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY
PITCH PROPERTY & MARINE MANAGEMENT
Pick your teammate and get ready to pedal across the water! Join us on
Saturday, September 26 and Sunday, September 27
for an exciting race from the gas docks to the end of Pier 4 and back.
Teams of two will compete in timed heats—pedal hard, make the turn and race back to the finish line!
Fun for the whole family
Teams of two
Life jackets are mandatory
Register at the HarbourFest registration booth.
Open for everyone!
Grab your partner and see if your team has what it takes to become the Grand Harbour Aqua Cycle champions!
HARBOUR FEST PAWS FOR A CAUSE FAMILY FUN GAMES ZONE
HARBOUR FEST PAWS FOR A CAUSE FAMILY FUN GAMES ZONE
HARBOUR FEST PAWS FOR A CAUSE FAMILY FUN GAMES ZONE
FAMILY FUN ZONE
Free Family Fun Games Zone at HarbourFest!
Bring the whole family out on Saturday, September 26 and Sunday, September 27 for fun games for the whole family, friendly competition and plenty of laughs!
Cornhole
PaddleSmash
Bocce Ball
Giant Jenga
And much more!
Open to everyone and all ages are welcome!
Festivities at the Pier 3 Gas Dock.
Sign up after 9am at the registration booth to get playing.
DOCKYARD GRILL BEER GARDEN & BARBECUE
DOCKYARD GRILL BEER GARDEN & BARBECUE
HARBOUR FEST PAWS FOR A CAUSE FAMILY FUN GAMES ZONE
DOCKYARD GRILL BEER GARDEN & BARBECUE
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY
DOCKYARD GRILL &
GRAND HARBOUR MARINA
Join us at Pier 3 on Saturday, September 26, from 12pm to 4 p.m.
$5 burgers and hot dogs!
$1 pop or water
All proceeds will support Simcoe County Emergency Animal Response
Prefer a sit-down meal? Enjoy waterfront dining at Dockyard Grill
Everyone is welcome—come hungry and help support a wonderful cause!
JAWS THEMED KIDS POOL PARTY & MOVIE
DOCKYARD GRILL BEER GARDEN & BARBECUE
JAWS THEMED KIDS POOL PARTY & MOVIE
KIDS POOL PARTY & MOVIE NIGHT
JAWS THEME!
Dive into Harbour Fest fun at the pool!
Grand Harbour Marina members—bring the whole family to our
Jaws Pool Party & Movie Night
on Saturday, September 26
& Sunday Sept 27th
The kids will have a splash at our fun-filled pool party, followed by a screening of Jaws.
Dress as your favourite shark—the Best-Dressed Shark will win a prize!
*Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult*
NO LIFEGUARD ON DUTY
PAWS FOR A CAUSE SILENT AUCTION
DOCKYARD GRILL BEER GARDEN & BARBECUE
JAWS THEMED KIDS POOL PARTY & MOVIE
PAWS FOR A CAUSE SILENT AUCTION & SHARE THE WEALTH RAFFLE
We’re raising funds at Harbour Fest – Paws for a Cause, and there are TWO great ways to get involved, have some fun and help support an incredible local organization!
100% of proceeds will be donated to Simcoe County Emergency Animal Response, helping support animals in need throughout our community.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26TH
Stop by and bid on some fantastic items in our Paws for a Cause Silent Auction and grab your tickets for the Share the Wealth Draw!
Silent Auction winners announced at 5:30 PM
Share the Wealth 50/50 winner drawn at 5:30 PM
You MUST be present to win the Share the Wealth 50/50. If a winning Silent Auction bidder is not present, we will contact them.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27TH
We’re doing it again with another Share the Wealth Raffle Draw!
Winner drawn at 12:00 NOON
️ You MUST be present to win!
MEMBERS EXCLUSIVE - BY INVITATION SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 26TH
MEMBERS APPRECIATION DINNER
MEMBERS APPRECIATION DINNER
Our members are what make Grand Harbour Marina such a special place, and we would love to celebrate YOU, our Members! This is our opportunity to thank our members for your loyalty, patience and continued support as we have grown and evolved throughout our first year together.
Join us Saturday, September 26, at 6:00 p.m. in the Harbour Hideaway Members Lounge for a complimentary dinner.
This is a private, members-only event by invitation.
Please RSVP by Sunday, September 20, to hello@grandharbourmarina.ca and include:
Names of members attending, Slip number & Any dietary restrictions
We look forward to celebrating with you and thanking you for your loyalty and support this season!
MEMBERS SOCIAL
MEMBERS SOCIAL
BRING YOUR DANCING SHOES!
The celebration doesn’t end with dinner! Following our Members Appreciation Dinner, we invite you to stay and enjoy a private Members Social in the Lounge featuring a special solo performance by local artist Kat Lovett, beginning at 7:00 PM.
Grab a drink, hit the dance floor and celebrate the end of another fantastic boating season with your Grand Harbour family.
Bring your dancing shoes — we’re keeping the party going! 🎶💃⚓
MEMBERS ONLY EXCLUSIVE
DOCKTAILS BOAT CRAWL
HARBOUR FEST DOCKTAILS BOAT CRAWL
MEMBERS ONLY EXCLUSIVE EVENT
Following our Members’ Appreciation Dinner & Social on Saturday, September 26, keep the evening going with Docktails and a Boat Crawl!
What’s a boat crawl? It’s like a bar crawl—but with boats! Participating members can welcome fellow members aboard or dockside for a cocktail or non-alcoholic drink before everyone strolls along the docks to visit the next boat.
It’s a fun opportunity to meet members from different piers, make new friends and enjoy our marina community.
Prefer a quieter evening? Relax around a campfire with your friends and slip neighbours.
The boats stay docked, so please enjoy responsibly and walk the docks safely.
Let’s raise a glass to a fantastic season at Grand Harbour Marina!
Please RSVP to hello@grandharbourmarina.ca if you would like to participate as a Docktails Host and Ambassador!
support the cause & help us reach our fundraising goal!
VENDORS & SPONSORS WANTED
Help us make the Harbour Fest Paws for a Cause a success while supporting a great local cause! We are seeking event sponsors, donations for the silent auction, prizes, gift certificates and other contributions for the cause from local businesses and community partners.
This includes Vendors who would like to participate in this great 2-day event. Vendor Booths are just $10 per day with all booth fees being donated directly to Simcoe County Emergency Response.
Whether you sponsor an activity, contribute to an auction item, donate a prize or participate as a vendor you support will help us create a fantastic community weekend while raising much needed funds funds to assist animals in need whether it's domestic pets, livestock or wildlife.
To become a sponsor, make a donation, or reserve a vendor booth contact Vanessa at 705-558-9533 or email hello@grandharbourmarina.ca
Every contriution, big or small helps us make a difference. 🐾❤️⚓
vendors & sponsors wanted
Help us make the Harbour Fest Paws for a Cause a success while supporting a great local cause! We are seeking event sponsors, donations for the silent auction, prizes, gift certificates and other contributions for the cause from local businesses and community partners. This includes Vendors who would like to participate in this great 2-day event. Vendor Booths are just $10 per day with all booth fees being donated directly to Simcoe County Emergency Response. Whether you sponsor an activity, contribute to an auction item, donate a prize or participate as a vendor you support will help us create a fantastic community weekend while raising much needed funds funds to assist animals in need whether it's domestic pets, livestock or wildlife.
To become a sponsor, make a donation, or reserve a vendor booth contact Vanessa at 705-558-9533 or email hello@grandharbourmarina.ca
Every contriution, big or small helps us make a difference. 🐾❤️⚓
thank you to our event sponsors who have kindly supported &
