A group of high spirited volunteers met earlier this month to review plans for the coming Rum Runner Days Events, set to occur this year from Thursday, July 18th to Saturday, July 20th.
It has been confirmed that there is no Thunder in the Valley this year.
“Although there will be no fireworks this year, the intent is to bring back the most popular events from the past few years in addition to a brand new Crowsnest Pass Children’s Festival,” said Penny Warris, Rum Runner Days Volunteer Event Coordinator, in a press release.
Warris also said The Taste of Crowsnest Pass Wine and Food Festival was a new event last year and will continue for its second year this summer.
“The [Festival] was a new event last year and was extremely well received,” said Warris. “We would like to build on that success by having a larger venue to showcase a taste of the fantastic restaurants in the Pass.”
The festival will take place on Thursday, July 18th and will provide sampling of all types of food, desserts, wines and coffees as well as local entertainment.
Friday night will see the return of the poplar family race Sole Survivor. Anyone can participate in the race. There will be a two, five and 10 km race, which participants can either walk or run.
Saturday will see a day full of entertainment, starting with the traditional Lions Pancake Breakfast, followed by the Rum Runner Days parade at 11 a.m. The 9th Annual Crowsnest Pass Show & Shine will line 20th Avenue in Blairmore from noon until 5 p.m. Last year saw the most ever entries at 88 cars, and this year is expected to see even more.
The first ever Crowsnest Children’s Festival will occur from 12:30 p.m. until 7 p.m. on the green space around Gazebo Park in Blairmore. Event organizers are very enthusiastic about the lineup of entertainment activities in which families to participate.
Included in the fun will be bouncy castle and inflatable obstacle courses, petting zoo, food, gift and toy vendors along with games and displays. There will be performances on stage all afternoon, including an acapella group that is well known from school concerts and an award winning magician and other musicians.
The Gothic Knight and his Pure Power Wrestling crew will also be making an appearance and never fails to entertain and amuse fans.
At 3 p.m. on Saturday, the Boys and Girls Club 3rd Annual Duck Race will be a spectacle to see when over 1600 rubber ducks will be dumped into Crowsnest River at the Centre access bridge and race to Frank. This year, prizes will be awarded for first and last duck to cross the finish line.
The Children’s Festival will wrap up with an outdoor family Dance.
“The idea is to concentrate all the vents and activities around Gazebo Park to create a street festival atmosphere,” said Warris. “There will be a lot of energy and excitement in the air.”
A final highlight to the day will be a free outdoor concert, with details still to be announced.
