Kimberley is a last minute sort of town, as anyone who has ever sold tickets for an event here can tell you.
And seasoned JulyFesters know exactly when to go for tickets or sign up before an event sells out.
Kimberley Chamber Manager Mike Guarnery would like to say that for bocce players, sign up time is now.
“We are taking registrations until Friday at noon (July 11) and then we have to cut it off so we can get the draw ready,” Guarnery said.
There are still spaces available. You can sign up online at http://www.kimberleyjulyfest.com.
While at the JulyFest website, you can also purchase tickets for the Saturday night dance/concert at the Civic Centre featuring Wide Mouth Mason and Big Sugar.
Guarnery is very excited about the concert.
“It’s going to be such a great show,” he said. “It’s two iconic Canadian rock and blues bands.”
Once you have signed up your bocce team or purchased your concert tickets online, you can pick up wristbands and tickets at the Chamber office at 253 Wallinger. Picking them up at the office will avoid congestion at the gates.
Those not playing bocce but wanting to soak up the live music and atmosphere at the Rotary Drive site will be charged $5 per day or $10 for the weekend.
That helps pay for the local bands who provide live entertainment at the bocce pits.
The Entertainment schedule is as follows:
Friday, July 18, 2014
The Hollers - 4 pm – 5:30 pm
Hot Muck - 6 pm – 7:30 pm
Alex Buterman - 8 pm – 9:30 pm
Sketch - 10 pm – 11:30 pm
Saturday, July 19
The Pursuits - 10 am – 11:00 am
The Oak Republic - 12 pm – 1:30 pm
The Bison Brothers - 2 pm – 3:30 pm
Split Shift - 4 pm – 5:30 pm
Elk Hunt - 6 pm – 7:30 pm
Cooked Line - 8 pm – 9:00 pm
The Chamber has arranged for a Noise Bylaw variance so the bands can play until 11:30 p.m on Friday. Music stops at 9 p.m. Saturday so everyone can head to the dance.
Volunteers are still required although many have already signed on.
“We need more help pouring beer Friday evening and Saturday afternoon,” Guarnery said. “And we can always use help with tear down on Sunday evening and all day Monday. It’s hot, everyone is tired by that time, so the more help the better. We could also use more bocce refs. We do have a good list of volunteers though. Kimberley has always been very helpful.”
Heat will be an issue. The current heat wave is forecast to continue through the JulyFest weekend and Guarnery urges everyone to keep the heat in mind and take on lots of water.
“We’ll have an aid station set up and water available,” he said.
The parade is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Saturday morning.
“The United Church will open its doors at 3:30 a.m. for those getting ready for the parade. There will be washrooms, coffee and muffins available.”
Just another example of Kimberley pitching in, Guarnery says.
“This city never ceases to amaze me on rising to the occasion.”
It is a very busy time for the Chamber with JulyFest and Guarnery says he couldn’t do it without his organizing team.
“Dave Clark is doing such a great job organizing everything. I don’t know what I’d do without him. And Meg Chapman is coordinating all the volunteers.”
With the Chamber staff and volunteers doing such a great job, all Kimberley residents have to do is sign up for bocce by Friday and get concert tickets. And enjoy the best of the Fests.