Blenheim’s trademark weekend is fast approaching, putting a cherry on top of the summer.
Cherryfest and Sidewalk Days hit the South Kent community July 18-20, fun and entertainment right into the downtown core.
Michael Russelo, one of the event organizers, said there are improvements to be featured for this year’s event. One is the use of the Mainstreet Credit Union portable stage from the municipality.
“The use of that stage opens up a whole thing for lights and sound,” he said. “We have a full sound system coming in to support it.”
The stage will be in “Cherry Central” on George Street right by the library. Russelo said there will be bleachers set up, but he suggests people bring lawn chairs .
“We have a lot of good lineups who will perform,” he said.
They include The Chasers, Chad Oulds and The Heartless Saints, who all perform Friday evening.
Also on the new stage will be Cherry-oke Thursday night, where the public can take part in a karaoke contest.
“If you always wanted to be a rock star, you’re going to get a feeling on what it’s like to be up on stage with big sound and big lights,” Russelo said.
World’s Finest Shows returns to run the midway, Russelo said. All-day passes will be $25, a price that remains unchanged for years.
“We’re trying to keep the costs as low as we can,” he said.
No Cherryfest would be complete without the famous pit spitting and the also-popular spectator event, the pie-eating contest. Russelo said they will take place on George Street, with the pie-consumption challenge being featured on the main stage.
The pie eating takes place at 11 a.m. July 20, while the spitting follows at 1 p.m.
New this year is a pie-baking contest. In an event that once featured legendary tasty cherry pies baked by church groups, there will now be a contest to feature individual baking prowess.
Buskers Kobbler Jay and Bella Magic will be on hand performing throughout the day on Friday.
Helping with past parking concerns, Russelo said organizers have arranged for a shuttle bus to run from the Sobey’s Parking lot into downtown Blenheim and back. It will run every 30 minutes and is free.
Russelo said he thinks the combination of the sales by downtown stores, food, midway rides and the atmosphere keep people coming back to Cherryfest year after year.
“It’s one of the last downtown home-style festivals. It’s where you shut the streets down and just do your thing,” he said.
