Sunsplash cancelled, finances cited as main challenge

After a two-year COVID hiatus, Sunsplash returned to Belle River. July 16, 2022. (Michelle Maluske/CTV News Windsor)

The Executive Director of the Belle River BIA said she understands why community members are upset over the cancellation of a beloved event.

“For 27 years Sunsplash has run in Belle River, and it’s a summer tradition for many. We do recognize how much it’s meant to so many,” said Melissa Lauzon.

She said she’s seen the comments on social media of individuals who are upset after it was announced Tuesday that the Sunsplash Festival in Belle River would be cancelled moving forward.

The event has been a summer staple event for 27 years and included the Classic Car Cruise, vendors, entertainment, and more.

According to Lauzon, this conversation has been ongoing for years, and the decision was made by the BIA board unanimously after it was becoming more difficult to organize and pay for the event.

The Classic Car Cruise will still continue this year, along with a number of Stroll the Street festivities, and other events.

She said Sunsplash alone takes the BIA six months to plan.

“Organizing Sunsplash has become increasingly difficult over the last few years, so after careful consideration, I know that people are looking for an answer, they feel like they’ve lost something, and we completely understand that,” Lauzon added.

She said despite challenges with finances and organizing, finding volunteers was never an issue.

“The help for that was there, we had a ton of students that expressed interested, community members that step up, that wasn’t mainly the concern. It’s more the organizing, and what goes on behind the scenes, and through the execution of a three-day festival.”

Sunsplash took place in mid-July on Notre Dame Street in Belle River from 1st Street to 11th Street.

— Maegan Delaurier/AM800 News