BridgeFest, the day-long community get-together designed to spur a feeling of belonging and pride in the Battlefords, is less than a month away and the excitement is building, co-ordinator Treena Rathwell says.
Earlier this week it was revealed Big Wreck will be the headline act. Big Wreck was a major band in the 1990s. They broke up for several years, but recently got back together and released a new album, Albatross.
BridgeFest events begin at 7:45 a.m. Aug. 25 at Finlayson Island with the children's 1 km run. The 5km to 21km runs for adults begin at 8:30 a.m. The runs are organized by BTC Indian Health.
"So many people enter the marathon, it's crazy," Rathwell says.
The annual pancake breakfast runs from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the food court, that will be located adjacent to the stage. Entertainment begins at 9 a.m.
From 9 to 11 a.m. there will be entertainment for "early risers," including the Hobby Band and the Nifty Fifties. At 11 a.m. Family Hour begins, featuring Brenda Baker.
"What's exciting to me about Brenda Baker is she's so interactive with the kids and families," Rathwell says.
At 2 p.m., a hypnotist will take the stage.Once again, different cultural groups will be represented, including hoop dancers.At 6:15, the Eekwols, a First Nations group, will take to the stage. At 7:30, Seven Sided from Edmonton will perform.
"We do the early risers, and then the seniors, and then we're going into stuff that appeals to teens, and then going on into the evening to involve families," Rathwell says, then the headliner."
The beer gardens open at noon. Rathwell notes Thick As Thieves, a local band, will be performing there.
There are some new wrinkles this year when it comes to activities during BridgeFest.
For example, this year, pony rides will be offered. Horse and buggy rides will continue to be offered as well. This year there will be four jumping tents - two for children and two for teenagers. A tug of war, slo-pitch and beach volleyball are also on the agenda.
There will be lots of food to choose from.
"We have confirmed that nine food booths are coming, which is a huge amount of cultural experiences," Rathwell says.
"We have East Indian, aboriginal, and the Western Development Museum is offering fish and chips this year," she says.
Rathwell notes the popular Lions Club pig roast will be back again as well.
"We have all the favourites back, like the petting zoo, face-painting, the balloon guy," Rathwell says.
The Battlefords Sharks female hockey team will be holding a hockey shootout competition.
The vintage car show will be back, as will the scuba club.
"A huge thank you to all the clubs and organizations that are getting involved and helping," Rathwell says.
This year, transportation will include pick-ups at various seniors' facilities from 8 a.m. to 12 noon. will be picked up at the Valleyview Towers high rises, Meadowsweet Manor, Golden Years Lodge, River Heights Lodge, Harwood Manor and Villa Pascal.
