The chairman of Cherry Fest is hoping for a big turnout at this year’s event and he has a message for competitors in the annual pit-spitting contest – he wants his title back.
“I’m going for it,” said JP Huggins, with a laugh. “I was worn out from everything last year and I couldn’t give it my best. I’m going to be ready this time.”
That kind of good-natured fun is what Cherry Fest is all about, said Huggins, who considers chairing the event is a huge honor.
“It’s something I love doing,” he said. “I remember coming up here as a teen, when I was dating my future wife, times when I’ve brought my parents; it’s just a really fun time.”
Huggins said an estimated 30,000 people attend the three-day event that begins Thursday. “We don’t keep official attendance because there’s no fee to get in but the downtown is just packed.”
Despite what many believe was the highest attendance in a decade, Huggins said the committee is always looking for ways to improve the event.
“We have a new midway firm in this year with all kinds of new rides, we have a best-dressed pet contest, with a cherry theme of course and we’ve extended the ride all day bracelets so they’re good until closing time at 10 p.m.”
Pet contest enquiries should be sent to Huggins at
He said the Downtown Blenheim Business Improvement Association that sponsors the event always has huge deals on merchandise.
“People know it’s a chance to showcase our beautiful little town so they go all out,” he said.
The event begins Thursday at 9 a.m. with the midway, all day shopping, live dancers, gymnastics demonstrations and free entertainment.
Friday will see more of the same as well as tryouts for the cherry pit-spitting contest from three to five p.m., a pie eating contest at 6 p.m. and then the popular Cherryoke signing contest from 7 to 10 p.m.
On Saturday, in addition to midway and shopping, the Blenheim Horticultural Society will hold its container garden contest from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., cherry pit spitting qualifying will take place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and at 12:30 p.m., the cherry pit-spitting contest takes place.
For more information, visit the cherryfest.ca website.
You could win the pie eating contest