The crowds were roaring, the weights were flying, and the spirit of strength and tradition pulsed through the air at this year’s Mark Haines Memorial Strength Competition—a core event of the Dunnville Mudcat Festival.
From the first deadlift to the flip of the all-new Mudcat Car to the final pull of the water truck, every competitor brought unmatched energy, determination, and heart. This year’s event wasn’t just about brute strength—it was about community, legacy, and lifting each other up.
^ Scroll above to relive some of the most exciting moments of the day. Each image captures not just physical strength—but the resilience, passion, and power of this amazing community.
Celebrating Our 2025 Champions
Help us celebrate these incredible athletes who left it all on the platform. Whether it was their first time competing or they were returning to defend a title, these winners raised the bar (literally) and earned their moment in the spotlight.
^ Scroll above to see our 2025 Winners Gallery
This year’s Mark Haines Memorial Strength Competition brought power, heart, and unforgettable moments. Athletes from across the region came to test their limits, and these champions rose to the top of their divisions with pure determination.
Men’s Division
Men’s Lightweight Champion: Andrew Lavesque
Fast, focused, and fierce—Andrew powered through the competition and claimed the top spot in the lightweight category with unwavering consistency.
Men’s Middleweight Champion: Brad Walda
A strong contender from start to finish, Brad brought skill, strength, and strategy to dominate the middleweight division. Congrats to Power Partner MXC Excavating too!
Men’s Open Weight Champion: Dylan Pelissero
Dylan put on an unforgettable display of raw power, taking on the biggest challenges and rising as this year’s open weight champion. Congrats to Power Partner Minor Bros Country Living too!
Women’s Division
Middleweight Champion: Evelyn Leihee
Evelyn brought intensity and precision to the platform, earning her top marks and crowd cheers in the women’s middleweight class.
🥇 Open Weight Champion: Sara Houser
With unmatched focus and raw strength, Sara powered through every event and claimed the women’s open category with pride.
Congratulations to all competitors—you gave us a show to remember and honoured Mark’s legacy with every rep.
Power Partner Trading Cards: Collect & Trade
New this year—our Power Partner Trading Cards made their debut! These limited-edition keepsakes were handed out and traded during the event, featuring our competitors in action.
Didn’t get the one you wanted? Keep collecting—we’ll be back with more in 2026!
📸 We’ve also created a special Trading Card Gallery—check it out below to see who was featured this year!
Special Thanks to Our Strength Car Crew:
We couldn’t have done this without the support and sweat of these incredible businesses:
-
Plazek Auto Recyclers – for donating the car
-
Klear Kustoms Classic Car Restoration – for leading the build, custom painting and transformation.
-
Armour Protective Solutions, Hamilton Boiler Works Limited, and Express Care Valvoline – for stripping the car and lending hands-on help
-
Wally’s Garage – for generously donating multiple tows
-
Willowdale Water Haulage – for donating their truck for the truck pull challenge
- BUCKS by Tatra – for keeping everyone refreshed and hydrated with bottles of water!
-
Bay King Chrysler, Dunnville Craft Emporium, Minor Bros Country Living, South Coast Wellness, Arms Open Counselling, We Move 4 U and MXC Excavating Inc. – for your generous sponsorships and support
Your time, tools, and trust in this event made all the difference.
About the Mark Haines Memorial Strength Competition
The Mark Haines Memorial Strength Competition is more than a contest of muscle—it’s a celebration of perseverance, community, and legacy. Held annually during the Dunnville Mudcat Festival, this event honors the late Mark Haines, a man known for his heart, his strength, and his love for the Dunnville community.
Each year, the tradition grows—thanks to the efforts of so many, but especially the ongoing dedication of Mark’s sons, Shawn and Mike Haines. Your passion, hard work, and commitment to keeping your father’s spirit alive is felt by every participant, volunteer, and cheering fan.
Thank you for allowing this event to carry his name—and his story—forward.
