First Saturday is a go in Kimberley. The idea has gone from concept to reality at an incredibly quick pace, and has even found some funding, says Carol Fergus from the Kimberley Arts Council/Centre 64, as part of the Kimberley Arts Culture and Heritage Committee.
Fergus first pitched the concept of First Saturday about six weeks ago to people representing different clubs and organizations in Kimberley.
First Saturdays are simply different activities planned by different groups for the first Saturday in every month. The hope is that with a number of events planned, people will flow from one cross-promoted event to the next. Events will be collectively promoted.
The City of Kimberley, Tourism Kimberley and the Chamber of Commerce are all on board, and First Saturdays, through the Arts Council have secured $11,000 through the BC Creative Communities program to provide support, enhancement and promotion of First Saturday.
As the concept takes off, it is anticipated that other organizations and/or local businesses will find a way to become directly involved and further grow the concept.
The inaugural First Saturday is coming up quickly. It will be Saturday, May 4 and the anchor event will be the Dynamiters annual Bull-A-Rama.
There is an Afternoon in the Platzl planned with live bands and other entertainment, and a creative station for kids with Lisa Aasebo, and life size chess outside the library. The opening reception for the Purcell Painters exhibit will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. at Centre 64. There will be a heritage high tea at Chateau Kimberley from 1 to 3 pm., and the Bull-A-Rama and a Homegrown Music Society Coffee House in the evening.
Other First Saturdays this summer will include Marysville Daze, forging and blacksmithing workshops, guided Nature Park hikes, quilt shows, Sullivan Underground Railways tours,plein air painting in the Platzl, art exhibits, Cominco Gardens tours, art workshops, jazz concerts, an outdoor movie night and more.
The sky is the limit in terms of what kind of event can work on a First Saturday, Fergus said.
“The idea is to get people moving around Kimberley, enjoying different events. We’re hoping it will build on itself.
Stay tuned to the Bulletin for a complete lineup for each First Saturday as they approach.