Hundreds gather to honour toddler fatally injured in LaSalle bouncy castle tragedy
Posted June 9, 2026 11:09 am.
Last Updated June 9, 2026 10:14 pm.
The life of young Ava Ciampini was celebrated in LaSalle on Tuesday evening, with hundreds of Montrealers showing their love and support for the three-year-old and her family.
Family, friends, neighbours and supporters gathered at Ouellette Park, where the fatal incident occurred on May 31, to honour Ava’s memory.
“It’s sad that it had to happen like that,” said Teresa Iacampo through tears. “The day before was her birthday and this had to happen. For the parents, it’s really sad to lose their kid.”
The memorial drew hundreds of people dressed in bright colours, as requested by Ava’s family. Mourners filled the park carrying flowers, teddy bears and handwritten notes. One message left among the growing memorial read: “You are not alone.”
“I think it’s very important that the community gets together and remembers her,” said Josee Disad. “It’s something that no one’s ever going to forget. This is a crazy, crazy incident that happened.”
“Lasalle is a very special community,” added resident Tracy Timmoney. “We all grew up together. It’s such a tragedy what happened. There’s no words, but to see everybody come together…”
Many attendees said they wanted to show support for Ava’s family and demonstrate the strength of the community during an unimaginable loss.
“It’s tough,” said Disad. “Earlier in the week I made a huge lasagna and brought it to the family. When someone loses a child, it’s a huge thing. Even people who didn’t know them came out.”
Another mourner said the tragedy resonated with parents across the community.
“I think it’s important for us, for the Ciampini family, to be there for them and help them out,” he said. “We all have kids.”
Ava’s father, Luca Ciampini, made a brief appearance during the memorial, laying flowers and thanking those gathered for their support. He told mourners that Ava’s memory would continue to live on.
“You see somebody you know, you grew up with, you know their parents, you know their grandparents,” said Timmoney. “We’re all here for such a beautiful little girl that passed away way too soon, that had such a bright light.”
The three-year-old died after a bouncy castle was lifted into the air by strong winds during an event at Ouellette Park. Eleven people were injured, six of whom were taken to hospital.
Ava was critically injured and later died from her injuries.
The toddler is being described in an online fundraiser as “the light of every room she walked into, and the hole she leaves behind is impossible to put into words.”
The fundraiser has collected more than $440,000 in the days since the tragedy.
“The love and support surrounding our family over these past days has been overwhelming,” Ava’s father wrote on Instagram last week. “From close friends to people who have never met us, thousands of you have donated, shared, and reached out, and every message and every gesture has helped carry some of the weight.”
Ava’s family was remembered Tuesday night as a family that has always supported others.
“Good family, very good-hearted,” said Antonella Peluso. “They’re beautiful. They help everybody. They’re a good family.”
As the sun set over Ouellette Park, mourners gathered to celebrate Ava’s life, remember her bright spirit and show a grieving family that they are not alone.
