Sunfest set to take city by storm
By Kyra Hoggan
It’s going to be a crazy busy weekend for Castlegar as Sunfest plans take the city by storm.
Several local groups are hosting events in conjunction with Sunfest, such as the West Kootenay Camera Club’s exhibition at the Kootenay Art Gallery, or the Castlegar Skateboard Society’s skateboard jam this Sunday at the city skate park… and that’s not to mention the sound-off competition at the Complex on Saturday, sponsored by Andre’s Audiotronics, or the slo-pitch tournament held throughout city parks over the weekend, or the Sun Run on Sunday (call the Complex for details at 250-365-3386).
Sunfest itself has a thing or two in the works as well (if not sunny weather, keep your fingers crossed), beginning Friday with a fundraising barbecue in front of M&M Meats at noon. The festival in the park, complete with live entertainment, vendors and kids games, begins at 3 p.m. and will include Mountain FM’s fabulous talent contest on the main stage (this reporter will now shamelessly plug her 11-year-old son’s band, Alter Ego, as contestants).
A blow-up bouncing room with slide will one of many fun, free sources of entertainment for the little ones.
At 6 p.m., the city street dance begins behind City Hall (see https://castlegarsource.com/node/5840), while at the same time, the Miss Castlegar pageant will wow the crowds at the Stanley Humphries Secondary School, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the theatre.
Saturday morning begins disgustingly early with the Rotary club’s pancake breakfast at 7 a.m. in front of the Kootenay Market, then the parade gets started at 11 a.m. at the Extra Foods parking lot, winding down Columbia Avenue and around City Hall before ending at Kinsman Park, where the festival will already be well under way.
“The parade will feature lots of entrants, including the Kamloops Rube Band, that represent just a world of entertainment – they’re very, very funny,” says Castlegar Festivals Society president Ron Armbruster.
A climbing wall will heighten the experience for attendees Saturday, while the big thrill is yet to come – a community barbecue then fireworks at 10 p.m. at Selkik College.
“The fireworks are going to be huge, awesome, the best fireworks display in the Kootenays,” Armbruster says. “Last year drew 700 or 800 people to the campus alone, and that’s not counting all the other vantage points around the city (from which people watched).”
Up next is the Slo-pitch/Sunfest dance at the Element Nite Club, featuring band Huge Fakers.
Sunday morning will see a second ancake breakfast at 8 a.m., with the kids parade at Pass Creek Park beginning at 10:30 a.m., sharp.
After the parade, families will want to stick around the park for the annaul Lion’s Family Day, featuring games, prizes and fun for one and all.
“I think there will be something for everyone, no matter their age or interest,” Armbruster says.
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