Last year's rain out and the withdrawal of the Battlefords United Way as a partner has not deterred the forces behind the Battlefords annual BridgeFest.
The day-long party held each year at the Battleford Flats to build a feeling of belonging and pride in the Battlefords will be held Aug. 24 this year.
Last year, it was cancelled for the first time in its five-year history, due to rain.
BridgeFest was created about five years ago as a result of community conversations organized by the Battlefords United Way. It was said something was needed to spur a positive attitude in the community and a feeling of togetherness among residents.
Through the years, BridgeFest has featured food, entertainment for all ages, beer gardens, sports tournaments and other activities. Tentative plans call for those same things to be offered again in the 2013 edition.
"It's something that the community is very proud of and excited about," BridgeFest spokesman Chris Odishaw says.
Odishaw says he's disappointed the partnership between BridgeFest and the Battlefords United Way no longer exists, but he's looking forward to the future.
"I'm excited about our new partnership that will be announced," he says.
Odishaw says BridgeFest organizers will once again be looking for sponsors to help stage the event.
He says there's no back-up plan in case of rain or other foul weather.
"The thing is it's an outdoor event," Odishaw says. "Hopefully we don't get rained out again. In the five years we did it we got rained out once.
"We were borderline whether we called it (off) or not. A couple of hours on either side and we probably would have gone ahead so I still feel confident that, barring a major weather event, it will go on," he adds.
