This is the perfect time of year for its annual civic bash. When could be a more appropriate than the start of June for a three-day celebration of why this area happens to be such a great place to live, work and play?
Lending a worldly and nostalgic flavour to this year's festivities is a tribute to a musical act that pretty much owned the charts in the 1970s, and whose music lives on today. Vancouver's "ABRACadabra," touted as one of the top ABBA tribute bands, will perform at Kinsmen Park on Friday at 6:30 p.m. There ought to be something in the air that night, it could even make you feel like a dancing queen?
"Some people may not like to admit it, but everybody loves ABBA," quipped Sunfest Chair Ron Armbruster about the musical headliners for this year's edition of the fest.
Approximately 50 food & craft vendors are booked for theFestival in the Park. Also at the Festival will be a return of several inflatable apparatus for kids and Mountain FM is providing live entertainment on Saturday.
This weekend is also the occasion when Miss Castlegar will be chosen and Castlegar's Citizen of the Year will be announced.The key thing to remember about Sunfest is the fact that it's a free family oriented event. Aside from the goods offered by the vendors and artisans, the line-up is something you can consider without including fees in the equation.
Ron Armbruster has been at it for a while and continues to enjoy his involvement with the yearly party, promoting it at every opportunity."We have a professional magician coming in this year as well. He'll do a couple of stage shows and will be wandering through the crowd doing a little bit of street magic."
Don't miss the downtown parade Saturday morning at 11, and the kids' parade Sunday, 10:30 a.m. at the Pass Creek Fairgrounds.Ron says the Sunfest has been a fixture in Castlegar since the 70s, and he, like everyone is hoping for great weather for this year's version – June 1-3.
"The Saturday evening fireworks promise to be bigger and better than ever," he concluded on May 22."Come out early and enjoy a little bit of magic. If there is a local group that is willing to fundraise by selling food and/or beverages they can contact me at 365-5257."