Another First Saturday event will be held this weekend, August 2, and this time it’s the kick off to a week long celebration of arts and culture. The Kimberley Arts Council/Centre 64 is pleased to present the first Kaleidoscope Festival, beginning this weekend.
It all starts with First Saturday and as usual, there are plenty of activities planned.
The first event is in the morning — the Dusty Downhill. This hike or run down Northstar Mountain has been put together by the Kootenay Orienteering Club as a fundraiser for First Saturdays.
Last year, First Saturdays had some funding from a grant, which was not available this year. In order to pay for the live music in the Platzl — acknowledged by all as the draw that attracts people to the Platzl on First Saturdays — there has to be some fundraising.
A silent auction was held during July, says the Arts Council’s Carol Fergus, and $3600 was raised.
“We really appreciate the people who supported the auction,” Fergus said. “We made $3600 and this is the way we have to sustain First Saturdays in the future.”
Lined up to provide live music in the Platzl this Saturday are; 12 p.m. Rod Wilson, 12:30 Garry Jacklin, 1 p.m. Jim Marshall; 1:30 John Gerlitz; 2 p.m. Stacy Decosse; 2:30 Gerry Dalum; 2:45 Dave Carlson; 3 p.m. Fraser Armstrong and 3:30 James Neve.
Other events include a kids corner, art workshops, high tea at Chateau Kimberley, Kimberley Heritage Museum walking tours, Kimberley Underground Mining Railway tours ,a barbecue at the Elks Club, an OMazing Race trivia contest and more.
If you are planning on taking part in the Dusty Downhill, here are the details:
Shuttle bus will run from 7:30 - 9:30 leaving from in front of the Visitor Centre. The bus will take people to the base of the ski hill. the bus is free. If people get to the visitor centre and there is no bus just wait, there should be one every 15 minutes or so.
Registration check-in: at the base of the ski hill at Northstar Quad chair. 8:00 am - 9:30 There people that have pre-registered will get their lift ticket, food and beverage tickets and timing stick. Late registrants can sign-in. $30 per person, on the day but space will be limited for on the day entrants.
Quad chair will operate between 8:30 and 9:30. Once people have checked in they can take the chair to the top of the hill and walk to the Kootenay Haus for the event start.
8:55 - The Upside Downhill 15K event starts from the base of the Northstar Quad Chair
9:00 the Hikers Start at the top of the Rosa Chair, near Kootenay House
10:00 am Runners start from the top of the Rosa Chair, near Kootenay House
11:00 - 1:00 pm BBQ at Centre 64 for finishers
10:15 - 12:30 finishers should be running / hiking through the Platzl to Centre 64 so cheer them on.
Entry includes: shuttle bus, chair lift ride, event entry and timing, burger / hot dog and refreshment at the finish.