Residents from Paris and beyond attended the 13th annual No Roads Back fundraiser at the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch #29 in Paris, on Saturday, November 15, 2025.
The event is held each year as a means to give back to the Canadian Cancer Society.
“The impetus is to raise funds for the Wheels of Hope transportation program which is an offshoot of the Canadian Cancer Society,” said Jim Young, a long-time Legion member and creator of the event. “The program connects people living with cancer to volunteer drivers and provides them with transportation for cancer treatment.”
In an interview with the Brant Beacon last month, Young said he was originally inspired to host the event after noticing a friend was growing out his moustache for Movember, a month-long campaign held every November to raise awareness and funds for men’s health issues such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health.
“I can’t really grow a moustache that well, but his father-in-law at the time owned The Alex in downtown Brantford, and I asked him, ‘Do you think your father-in-law would let me come and perform for a little while and we’ll put a bowl out and try to gather some cash?’” recalled Young. “I figured if I asked a couple more people to come out for the afternoon and play a few tunes in between, we could get a couple of dollars and so that’s how it kind of started.”
As many of the artists who were showing up to play were from Paris and the County of Brant, Young eventually approached the local Legion to see if he could hold the event there, noting that it benefitted the charity as well.
Throughout the years the event has continued to grow, attracting more musicians, people and funds. In 2024 the benefit raised over $3,000.
This year’s event featured a total of 13 groups and solo artists including: Chuck Jackson and Crossfield Bend, Mr. Shayne Lahay, The Barman, Silvia Dee and the Boyfriend, Before Midnight, Allie Stenhouse, Bailey Robb, Gray and Ludgate, Shawn Blackmore, Josh Doherty, Friday Family Sing Song, The Die Hards and Loose Moralz Entertainment.
Young, who said he was impressed with how many people turned up to the event, figured this year’s line up had pulled in the crowd.
“I don’t want to sound like that guy,” he said with a chuckle. “But it’s only 4:30 p.m. and I’ve never seen this event so well attended, this early. I’m actually kind of floored a little bit because you never know what’s going to happen, but you can barely get a seat in there. We’ve got a really great line up that people seem to be enjoying so it’s definitely going a lot better than I even expected.”
Besides the music, the organizers also held a 50/50 draw and a silent auction with 17 items up for grabs, and set out a collection box for donations.
Young said that he was grateful for everyone’s support, whether they were performing or simply attending the event.
“I have to thank the legion, everyone who got involved and everyone who came out. These acts aren’t getting paid, they’re doing this to just give back,” he said. “A big shout out goes to our sound guy Greg as well, he doesn’t get enough credit for all that he does for us every year. Sound isn’t something that just happens, each act has their own nuances and the set up is different from venue to venue so we appreciate everything he does.”
Christine Abbott, who was just one of the many who attended the event, said she was happy to support the event.
“I have some friends who are playing tonight so it’s nice to be able to support them and the cause at the same time,” she said. “It’s just a fantastic concept and I think more people should organize events to give back like this.”
When asked what she thought about the event so far, Abbott said she was enjoying it.
“So far, so great,” she said. “I love hearing all the different music and the different genres, and it’s great getting to hear some new acts I’ve never seen before.”
Kimberly De Jong’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at kimberly.dejong@brantbeacon.ca.
