About

Voted one of Ontario’s Top 100 Festivals nine years in a row, MWF has set new standards for excellence, earning accolades from industry peers, business partners, media and attendees.

Known for presenting the best in Canadian and International talent, past concert performances include: Sam Roberts, Jann Arden, Tom Cochrane, Chantel Kreviazuk, Colin James, Kathleen Edwards, Suzie McNeill and Bruce Cockburn. The children’s stage is home to popular TV stars like The Backyardigans, Max & Ruby and Dora the Explorer while the Family Fun Village offers everything from stilt walkers and fire-eaters to exciting water shows, family carnival, interactive sports activities, delicious food and unique crafters and vendors. The variety of exciting events and attractions draw visitors to the Mississauga Waterfront Festival from near and far.

What Mayor Hazel McCallion has to say:

“As the Honorary Chair of the festival, I am proud that this event provides funding to charitable organizations and aids children in need. It is encouraging to know that so many people are working together for the community’s benefit.”

Who’s the festival for?

THE PRIMARY TARGET AUDIENCE IS CONCERT GOERS & FAMILIES…

Participants will attend on average two or more performances per day. 50% of them returned on two or more days.

• Target audience is between 5 and 55 years old
• Adult 19 and up – 64%
• Children & youth 2 – 18 – 36%

Target Market:

Mississauga and the GTA, Windsor to Oakville, Burlington, Hamilton, Brampton, Etobicoke, Toronto to Oshawa, the Golden Horseshoe, Niagara to Kingston, Ottawa and Montreal, other cities in Ontario and US border cities.

• Mississauga is the 6th largest Canadian City, population 729,000
• 82% of Mississauga residents have some form of post secondary education
• 66% of Mississauga residents own their own home
• Mississauga’s average household income is $80,000, a third higher than the Canadian average

MISSISSAUGA IS CANADA’S GATEWAY

Home to Toronto Pearson International Airport servicing more than 32 million passengers on over 70 airlines to 60 countries around the world. Located within one days drive of access to over 164 million consumers.

MISSISSAUGA IS SAFE

Recognized as Canada’s safest city 8 years in a row.

MISSISSAUGA IS A CORPORATE CAPITAL

Home to 61 Fortune 500 Canadian or major divisional head offices and 50 Fortune Global 500 Canadian Headquarters.

MISSISSAUGA IS GREEN

More than 480 parks & 23 trail systems including part of a 485 mile waterfront trail running from Niagara-On-The-Lake to Quebec

Our Team

The Mississauga Waterfront Festival team is an energetic, innovative group of individuals working on the cutting edge of the festival and events industry.

Pat Anderson, Chairperson

Pat exemplifies the spirit of volunteerism and has been honored with prestigious awards; the government of Ontario’s Leading Women, Building Communities Award, A Civic Award of Merit, and the Sam McCallion Award. Pat, accomplished business owner, oversees the volunteer Board of Directors. They work year round and on-site over the weekend with over 350 volunteers from non-profit agencies and service clubs to ensure the festival runs smoothly. The harsh reality that for many struggling families, an afternoon at a festival can be a luxury led Pat to create the Festivals “Sponsor a Child Program”. Since its inception it has subsidized approximately 29,500 children in need!

Geraldine O’Neill – Anderson Event Coordinator

With over five years of volunteer experience for the festival Geraldine took on the role of Coordinator in 2005. Geraldine works with the Event Manager, Chair and Board of Directors to facilitate the day to day business of the festival, works with all Pre-event Committees to help facilitate and organize and oversees the festival vendors. Geraldine’s enthusiasm and bright smile are a welcome site to everyone who meets her!

Patricia Ryan

Catherine Deegan

Board of Directors

Board of Directors Under the direction of festival Chairperson, Pat Anderson, the festival boasts an impressive Board of Directors, comprised of professionals from all walks of life in our community. They bring a wealth of talent and dedication necessary to ensure the successful operation of an event of this size and scope.

• Pat Anderson – Chair
• Wayne Anderson
• Dave Timms
• Mike Boyle
• Helen Goljak
• Dian Seguin-McIntyre
• Judy Imerson
• Sheila Orr
• Karen Priest
• Toby Gardiner
• Angie Bozzo

City of Mississauga

We work in partnership with the City of Mississauga through our city liaison, Shelley Tsolakis who continuously helps us through opportunities for education and strategic planning. We work closely with the Department of Arts and Culture as stakeholders to support Arts and Culture in Mississauga.

Volunteers

Many local not-for-profit and charitable organizations provide services for us on site in exchange for donations that in turn support their various outreach programs; a winning formula. We also enjoy a strong base of community volunteers from seniors to teens who volunteer on site. They’ve become an integral part of our team with bright volunteer t-shirts and hats seen everywhere throughout the park, smiling festival ambassadors, many returning year after year for the sheer fun of it!