Kimberley’s First Saturday committee is hard at work preparing for the coming summer and have made some decisions concerning how First Saturdays will look this year.
The biggest decision is a shortened season. First Saturdays will begin with on July 4 and continue until Oktoberfest. That’s two less Saturdays and more doable for the committee.
“It’s economically more viable,” said Carol Fergus of the Kimberley Arts Council.
The problem with May and June in the past two years has been weather. When it’s cool and rainy you don’t draw enough people to warrant spending the money. It’s also hard on the performers, Fergus said. The June First Saturday also conflicted with Marysville Daze.
So it will begin in July this year and a big day is planned for July 4. The anchor of the day will be Symphony on the Mountain, a mountain top performance by the Symphony of the Kootenays. Also planned are a Rotary pancake breakfast, silent auction (annual fundraiser for First Saturday), Frocks on Bikes, Music in the Platzl from 11-4, Workshops and/or Demos, a children’s area, reception in the Art Gallery, chairlift rides and a garden tour. The day ends with the evening symphony performance.
The First Saturday in August will focus on Arts and Culture as it kicks off the week long Arts Council Kaleidoscope Festival. In September, the theme is community and October, of course Oktoberfest.
The next First Saturday meeting is April 7 for anyone wishing to help the committee out.