Eleven years ago, a group from the Kimberley Arts Council formed a committee to present a new concept for summer entertainment in Kimberley, First Saturdays.
The goal was to revitalize and stimulate the downtown Platzl, and if you have ever attended First Saturday activities, you can definitely say it was a success.
This summer is the ninth for first Saturdays — with two summers cancelled because of the pandemic. And a full schedule is planned as usual, says Carol Fergus, long time committee member.
This year, the Arts Council got a grant to hire a First Saturdays coordinator. Tammy Schock, who moved to Kimberley in 2019, will be the coordinator.
“It’s really great because it is a lot of work for volunteers,” Fergus said. “We appreciate the Arts Council’s support.”
So here is what’s ahead on First Saturdays this summer.
It begins on Saturday, July 1, 2023 as Canada’s birthday lines up with First Saturday.It will celebrate summer and Canada Day. The City of Kimberley will partner on Canada Day activities.
It will also mark the return of First Saturday’s silent auction.
“We didn’t have the silent auction last year, but funding sources aren’t as available so we’re bringing it back. We need to raise funds to get through the season. We are approaching individuals and businesses for donations.”
In the past, the silent auction has raised about $4,000 each time.
Saturday, July 1 will begin with a Rotary pancake breakfast in the Platzl and activities will run from 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. On the agenda are the Numa Ka’kin Drummers, Kimberley Community Band, Kids Activity Zone — face painting, creative corner, photo booth; Make Art Studio — a creative space for adults; regional artist and crafters market; Canada Day activities. And in the evening a free family friendly concert and barbecue by the local Elks Club outside Centre 64. The band for the concert will be announced soon.
On Saturday, August 6, the theme is Celebrate the Arts and it takes place in the Platzl, beginning at noon. There will be live entertainment, kids activity zone, make art studio, ukulele workshops and art and crafters’ market. The evening concert will feature Take Four at Centre 64.
Saturday, September 2 celebrates community, featuring all the usual First Saturday activities plus an interpretive Community History Hall. There will be a family friendly One Light Town Concert outdoors in the evening with a barbecue by the Elks Club.
The last First Saturday of the season is Oktoberfest on October 7.
It begins at 11:30 a.m. with a kids kazoo parade from Centre 64 to the Platzl. Hang out in the Platzl all afternoon, listen to some alpen horn and an Oompapa band, plus many other Bavarian themed activities, beer garden and bratwurst.