Over the years the activities might have changed, but the purpose has always remained the same — to provide affordable family fun.
That is what Vicki-Dawn Driessen one of the organizers of the June Street Festival said.
“It has been going on as long as I can remember,” she said, adding she believes the event was originally organized by Blue Heron Support Services, but over the years many groups and organizations have hosted the event, including long-time participant the Barrhead Leader.
In its current incarnation, the festival is organized by a committee comprised of representatives from a number of local businesses.
Festivities kick off at 9 a.m. with a free pancake breakfast sponsored by the Friends of the Barrhead Public Library at St. Anne’s Parish Hall and will go to about 4 p.m.
All the activities will take place along or around Main Street.
At 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., at St Anne’s Parish Hall, Mullen the Magician, a.k.a. Conal Mullen, a Calgary-based entertainer, and motivational speaker will perform a fast-paced magic show, which combines elements of magic, humour, and music that are guaranteed to keep the audience riveted.
Shortly after each of Mullen’s shows, Footworks Dance Academy will be putting on a live dance performances in front of their studio.
“Whenever possible we tried to arrange the activities in such a way so they would have to go up and down Main Street, multiple times so they have an opportunity to see what all the different merchants are offering for the festival,” she said.
For those food lovers, in addition to the multiple food vendors and restaurants located on Main Street, organizers have included two events, Driessen said are sure to have participants mouths watering.
The first one being the Chopped Challenge, based on the Food Network TV show Chopped where chefs compete and turn baskets of mystery ingredients into a three-course meal.
In the Street festival version Dennis Donkers, of Barrhead Bakery, will give children a group of ingredients so they can come up with their own culinary masterpieces.
“Sometimes the final presentation isn’t the prettiest and the cooks are not always very clean, but the results for the judges are tasty,” she said.
The other event, while not technically part of the festival is the Rotary Club sponsored BBQ Cook-Off. The service club will also be hosting a beer garden. The Alberta Lamb will also be on hand with an interactive information booth and will put on a sheep shearing demonstration at 11:00 a.m.
Back by popular demand is the home-based vendors market, petting zoo, go-karts, pony rides, face painting, dance demonstrations, bouncy castle, caricature artist and assorted children’s games.
Driessen added they are still looking for people who would like to participate in the event through putting on an activity or with a financial contribution.
“We want to keep the event as affordable as possible for people. Most of the activities are free and we couldn’t do it without the help of people, organizations, and businesses who contribute in some way. Without them there wouldn’t be a street festival,” she said.
To get involved in Street Festival call Driessen at the Scotiabank at 780-674-8400, ext. 4300 or e-mail at [email protected].
