A developing story from Thunder Bay: This weekend's South Core Roar was the first ever held in Thunder Bay, Ont., but organizers say it won't be the last.
The two-day street festival — which included a car and motorcycle show, live music, and vendors — took place Saturday and Sunday in the area of Miles and Brodie streets. "I grew up downtown Fort William," indicated event co-ordinator Roberta Sawchyn. "This is part of the revitalization of the downtown core, which makes me very happy." "We had 19 food vendors, 20 craft vendors, hot cars, classic cars, fast cars, motorcycles, a kids zone, all the kids were having fun," she remarked.
"Multicultural stage was just awesome, wrapped up [Saturday] night with the [Sensational Hot Rods] down on the band stage." Thunder Bay Authorities Service extends foot patrol pilot program to address downtown safety alarm Anthony Simard, who grew up in the area and volunteered at South Core Roar, confirmed it was nice to see so many people in the south core on the weekend. "I think it's a beautiful evolution of a place that I've spent my entire life in," he remarked. "It's really, really heartening to see so many people come together in the area." The community is undertaking a few projects in the area as part of its efforts to revitalize the south core,including rehabilitating Simpson Streetanddemolishing the Victoriaville Mall. The mall was built over a section of Victoria Avenue between Archibald and Brodie streets.
"I actually had a gentleman come up to me [Saturday]," Ruberto indicated.
The community is re-opening that section to traffic and building new public plazas on either side of Victoria. Aldo Ruberto, the chair of the Fort William Business Improvement Area (BIA), advised he's heard very positive feedback about the South Core Roar. Multiple building fire may delay timeline of future progress on Simpson Street in Thunder Bay, Ont. "I actually had a gentleman come up to me [Saturday]," Ruberto indicated. "He shared, 'I'm so happy to see so many people back in downtown Fort William. It's been a long time coming.'" Ruberto confirmed the event showed "what can be if we put our heads together and all work together in a positive fashion." South Core Roar will be returning in 2027 but the dates have not yet been set, he noted. "Good things can happen in the downtown core," he advised. "Things are happening, and from my position as chair of the BIA, I'm looking at a number of new people in the downtown core." "We've had a number of buildings being sold to out-of-town people, some in town, all new investors," Ruberto remarked. "We've had several restaurants that are in the process of opening. Kris Ketonen is a reporter with CBC Thunder Bay. Send story ideas to kris.ketonen@cbc.ca. It is a priority for CBC to create products that are accessible to all in Canada including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered onCBC Gem..
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📍 Source: CBC News Thunder Bay · By: CBC News Staff · 🗓️ August 04, 2026 · 🏠 ThunderBay.Online
