A Day in Nackawic-Millville: Festival on the Bend
Our marketing team recently spent a day in Nackawic-Millville where we got to experience the liveliness of Festival on the Bend.
My colleague Sonia and I arrived just in time to find the perfect spot to watch the local parade. Starting at the Nackawic Middle School, the Hollywood-themed parade floats made their way around town and down to the Nackawic Arena. These lively locals leaned in to this year’s parade theme with decorative floats and costumes with nods to red carpets and favourite shows.
The parade featured local businesses like Coffee Once, Pizza Twice, The Big Axe Brewery, and Stomping with Stacey. It also included Nackawic Fire and Rescue, the local branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, bagpipers, and Miss Nackawic and her Royal Court – crowned the evening before at the 2026 Miss Nackawic-Millville Pageant.
With the parade coming to a close, we followed the festivities to the Nackawic Arena to explore some local vendors like Heart of Nature Soap, Taylor Made Fudge, Wapples To Go, Robin’s Donuts & Happy Baker, and more. Outside, even more fun was set up with Paintball, a bouncy castle area, and Llamas – yes, Llamas – waiting for the town to enjoy the sunny afternoon with fun and games.
We then walked over to the beautiful Big Axe Marina where we met up with our boss – known to some as ‘Pokiok’ Paula – to see the sights from the river and learn more about the history of the town.
As we ventured down river we learned of the original Pokiok settlement that still exists abandoned below the river. The rural community of Pokiok was once known for Pokiok Falls – a stunning waterfall that tumbled into a deep gorge. When the Mactaquac Dam was built in 1967, much of the town was relocated and abandoned as the Mactaquac headpond was flooded. Some of the original buildings remain underwater beneath the powerful Wolostoq river.
We ended our historic tour of the river with a stop at the Big Axe Brewery. A meal as good as this can only be made better by the gorgeous view from their balcony. The talented Chef Jess did an amazing job with their special menu that featured Smash Burgers, Crispy Grilled Baby Potato Poutine, and BBQ Ribs. The Big Axe is truly a community staple. Whether you’re coming in by boat, off the trails, or visiting as a Harvest Host guest, you are always welcomed with cold drinks and good company.
With full bellies, we made our way back to town and couldn’t resist a final stop at Yum Yum’s Dairy Bar - where the scoops really are as big as the axe. There were so many options, we almost couldn’t choose! We settled on a creamy Mocha Milkshake and the decadent Peanut Butter Perfection.
While this little ice cream shack may seem small and unassuming, it offers up an incredible variety of delicious ice cream creations and flavour combinations. Amidst the classic slushies and sundaes, their wild creations include Cotton Candy Burritos, Ice Cream Nachos, and Worms and Dirt. Or you can build your own custom treat mixing your favourite sweets into one delicious bowl.
Festival on the Bend is a great example of the love and care that people have for their community. It’s easy to see why the folks of Nackawic-Millville come together every year to celebrate their beautiful towns. These communities along the river bend continue to inspire us with their warmth and town spirit. If you want to know more about the Nackawic-Millville area, check out our last visit here.