Massive crowds come out for Midnight Madness

Annual Bolton street party was a resounding success: organizers

By ZACHARY ROMAN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

In keeping with tradition, Bolton's Midnight Madness was even bigger this year. 

The August 9 event was attended by an estimated 20,000+ people and featured double the number of market vendors than it had in 2023. 

Guests enjoyed live music from the expanded stage in the entertainment area, and were able to try delicious food and refreshing drinks from more food vendors than ever.

The event was held by the Downtown Bolton Business Improvement Area with support from the Bolton Community Crew and countless volunteers — many of them local high school students.

Sarah Leslie is a volunteer who has been helping put on Midnight Madness for many years and said this year's event was without a doubt the biggest one in the event's history. The event is getting so big, she said, that Toronto radio station Q107 mentioned it on air the morning of the event.

“It all went so smoothly, people loved the new layout… it was a nice flow. You had your shopping on Queen and Sterne, the kid zone was right in the middle, and the entertainment zone in the municipal parking lot,” she said. “At one point it was so busy you could barely walk through.”

Leslie said more and more she's been hearing from people attending Midnight Madness from out of town. It's becoming a real economic benefit for Caledon, she said. 

More than ever, volunteers were needed to make the event a success and they came out in a big way. 

“Every single one of our volunteers hustled so hard all night long, they were phenomenal… I can't even put into words how amazing these guys were,” said Leslie. “I wish I could give them all a big hug… I don't think this could have happened the way it did without them. They were so great.”

Leslie said the volunteers deserve commendation and thanks for giving back to the community.

“It was a huge success for everyone involved… it was the best Midnight Madness yet, it was perfect,” said Leslie.