The Blyth Festival cancelled the July 2 performance of Sisters of ’78 due to a power outage, according to a statement from the festival. The play, which dramatizes the 1978 Fleck Manufacturing Strike in Centralia, Ontario, premiered on June 12, 2026, in Blyth.
Power Outage Forces Cancellation
The festival announced the cancellation on the afternoon of July 2, citing an unexpected power outage that affected the venue. Patrons were notified via email and social media, and ticket refunds or exchanges were offered. The cause of the outage was not immediately disclosed, but it occurred amid extreme heat warnings in Southern Ontario, with humidex values reaching the 40s in some areas.
The Sisters of ’78 production is a key part of the Blyth Festival's summer lineup, drawing audiences interested in labour history and local storytelling. The 1978 strike involved mostly female workers at the Fleck Manufacturing plant and became a landmark event in Canadian labour rights.
Context of Broader Weather Disruptions
The cancellation comes as Southern Ontario swelters under extreme heat, with widespread power outages reported across the region. Environment Canada issued heat warnings, and the Ontario Forest Fires reported 21 active wildland fires in the northeast as of Tuesday evening. The power outage affecting the festival may be linked to the strain on the electrical grid during the heat wave.
The Blyth Festival stated that performances are expected to resume as scheduled once power is restored. The next performance of Sisters of ’78 is tentatively set for July 3, pending confirmation.
