Pipestone Flyer
Picture of Wetaskiwin’s downtown during last year’s Ag Festival. File Photo
On September 15th Main Street, Wetaskiwin will look quite different. No, don’t expect to see Phase I of the Main Street Revitalization Project to be complete and open to traffic. That won’t happen until mid to late October. But, the 3 blocks west of there will look quite different for a day. The streets will be transformed into a carnival type atmosphere as Wetaskiwin celebrates the 3rd annual Ag and Arts Festival.
The Festival was created three years ago so the citizens of Wetaskiwin would be provided the opportunity to celebrate their hometown. It has also gained importance as a means for people from surrounding communities to come and enjoy the festivities and to discover what Wetaskiwin has to offer. And the great news - the event is free for everyone to enjoy.
The streets from the TD Bank intersection to Johnsons Eyewear will be blocked so guests can leisurely stroll along Main Street and enjoy the entertainment and displays offered by the Fire Department, local musicians, painters, photographers, farmers, artisans, restaurants and businesses showcasing their products, services and talents. The side streets will remain open to enable a flow of north/south traffic. The day will begin with the famous Lions Club’s Pancake Breakfast.
As Brady Weiler, operator of Cruisers Café at Reynolds Museum and founding member of the ‘shoestring budgeted, but highly successful’ Wetaskiwin Ag and Arts Festival event declared, “This is a Wetaskiwin event for our people to organize and participate in. It’s our community event.”
Planning has been underway for some time. On March 13th, 2012 Weiler, a catalyst for the event, announced that on September 15th 2012, Main Street Wetaskiwin will be closed for the third consecutive year.
Brady and his crew of volunteers have proven for two years that this is truly a community driven event funded on a shoestring budget. Judging from the positive comments from people who attended the Festival of Ag and Arts the previous two years, it can be done when a community comes together to support a cause. The cause once again, is to host an event that is planned for all to enjoy while showing pride in our community.
Want to be involved in this community event?
• local musicians, bands and performers to be part of this year’s community stage. Contact Warren at 780-352-0906
• local businesses, community groups, entrepreneurs and otherwise awesome people to be part of this year’s marketplace. (including food and merchandise vendors) Contact Allan at 780-352-8003
• local painters, sculptures, crafters, quilters and otherwise awesomely artistic people to be part of this year’s Arts & Crafts Pavilion. Contact Terry at 780-352-8042
This community driven event is a prime example of what can be done on a shoestring budget. It exemplifies what is possible when a volunteer group of community enthusiasts come together to support a cause and provide enjoyment for others. Great volunteers. Generous sponsors.
For more information watch future editions of the Pipestone Flyer or go to the Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wetaskiwin-Festival-of-Arts-Agriculture or visit the website http://www.wetaskiwinfestival.com/