Expectations high for Summer in the City

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This article was published 15/06/2023 (1233 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Summer in the City kicks off Friday and organizers are eagerly watching to see if last year’s success repeats itself.

After two years of cancelled festivals due to the pandemic, the 2022 event surprised everyone with massive crowds and sold out concerts.

Graham Pollock, festival operations chair, said this year will be a test.

“Last year the crowds were so big we thought that perhaps that was due to the whole COVID influence and not being able to do it for two years,” he said. “This year will be a bit of test for us because we’re going to see if that was an anomaly, or if this is going be the way of the future.”

The festival itself is largely sticking to a successful formula.

Entertainment is key with the main stage packed Friday and Saturday beginning at 1 p.m. with a variety of bands.

Closing Friday is headliner Tim Hicks while AC/DC and Def Leppard Tribute bands will close off Saturday night.

Changes have been made to the midway, which due to last year’s crowds featured long lines for wristbands and tickets, and for the rides themselves.

Wonder Shows has added two new rides this year, doubled the number of ticket booths and added an online method of acquiring wristbands.

“Every year the goal is to be able to be bigger and better than we were the previous year,” Pollock said.

This year the festival also helps celebrate the RCMP’s 150th anniversary.

The RCMP will be on hand Friday and Saturday featuring recruiting, police dog service, search and rescue, drone demonstrations, their underwater recovery team and on Friday only, their explosive disposal unit.

For many it’s the familiar events that make the festival what it is.

Every year the SCU free pancake breakfast kicks off festivities. This year it runs 7 to 9:30 a.m. on Friday on Lumber Avenue near SCU.

Cultures in the City is also a popular addition with performances on the cultures stage starting Friday at 5 p.m., as well as Saturday and Sunday afternoon.

Not only will the crowd be able to see a variety of cultures displayed through music and dance, but they will also be able to watch as new Canadians take part in a citizenship ceremony on Saturday at 1 p.m.

Art is also important to the festival with live demonstrations, art classes and art sales available.

Of course, every festival is about children and there’s plenty for them to do in addition to the midway.

Kids activities will continue through the weekend including face painting, bouncy houses, magic shows, foam and bubble parties, crafts and mini-golf.

Street Arts in the City includes the Summer Skate Series, Heat the Streetz, a Scribe concert and Hogan’s Circus.

The annual Worship in the City includes a community worship service at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, and Sunday entertainment including Rescue Story with Josh Winter, Acorns & Armchairs, Bram Avery, Mayflowers in June and LMYK.

Sports in the City includes volleyball and hockey tournaments all weekend long at the T.G. Smith Centre.

Seniors are also offered hourly activities including yoga, cards, bingo and fitness drumming.

The number of vendors has also grown.

This year Summer in the City will feature close to 35 food vendors, 11 cultures vendors, 15 crafts/artisans, 17 trades or businesses, and nine non-profits.

An additional six vendors will show up for Saturday only.

Pollock said volunteers are excited to see the crowds come back adding he’s excited because it’s an affordable family weekend.

“It’s all free, other than the concerts on Friday and Saturday night,” he said.

For more information or to purchase concert tickets go to summerinthecity.ca.