The shows, the fun, and the food must go on.
Despite a spring frost that took out much of the local cherry crop, Blenheim’s annual Cherryfest and Sidewalk Days is prepared to spit pits, enjoy treats and soak up the fun.
That’s the word from Mike Russelo, chair of the Blenheim BIA.
The annual affair has food, fun and entertainment for all ages.
From July 16-18, Blenheim’s downtown morphs into a pedestrian playground, with shopping, midway, food and entertainment dominating the downtown.
Back again are the midway rides from World’s Finest Shows. All-day ride passes are the same price as last year, at $30.
That is an anchor in the downtown for the three days. So too are the super sales happening at local stores. Russelo said some shops are dropping prices by as much as 70 per cent for select merchandise.
“Shop early. It’s popular,” he said.
In terms of the dearth of local cherries, Russelo said organizers have worked around it, purchasing cherries from local grocery stores to make up the difference.
“We’ve been able to make it work. We’re getting through it and still supporting the growers as much as we can,” he said.
At the heart of Cherryfest is the pit spitting competition and tryouts. The tryouts take place Friday, while the competition runs on Saturday.
Returning this year after a prolonged absence is a Battle of the Bands on the Thursday night. Russelo said local bands can take to the stage and battle it out for exposure and a cash prize. The folks at Sound EQ are sponsoring and organizing the event on the Mainstreet Stage on George Street.
“It’s an opportunity for these young bands to get up on stage under the lights and be professionally produced,” Russelo said.
In terms of weekend entertainment, he said there will be buskers on Friday and Saturday at various points in the downtown. Bands Black River Remedy, Heartless Saints and 40 Hours Over perform on the main stage Friday evening, with the winner of the Battle of the Bands opening.
Adult beverages will be available for purchase thanks to Bayside Brewing and Boathouse Social House after 3 p.m.
On Saturday, Chad Oulds, Cellar Door and Quatro perform on the Ford & McIntyre stage.
All the bands are sponsored by the Blenheim BIA.
Russelo said an event such as Cherryfest and Sidewalk Days showcases the power of Buy Local/Support Local.
“The event is put on by the Blenheim BIA, and the BIA is a group of local businesses. All the entertainment is free,” he said, with the midway and helicopter rides coming at a fee.
“There’s all this happening. But there’s no fee to enjoy Cherryfest. We get the support of our community throughout the year,” Russelo said. “We’re not just supporting local jobs. This is a giveback that you get from shopping locally. We’re able to do things like this in the community and have been for 40-some-odd years.”
The circle of support is best indicated by the Blenheim Rotary Club. The BIA, a non-profit group, works with Rotarians, members of a non-profit service club, to hold a 50/50 draw during Cherryfest. The proceeds go to support the Blenheim Health Hub.
Or there is the pie backing competition Saturday morning, with judging at 10 a.m. It’s followed by a pie auction, with all proceeds going to support the Word of Life Food Bank.
Event organizers are also collecting food donations at Cherry Central downtown, which will also be donated to the same food bank, Russelo said.
“Everybody’s giving back,” he said. “Everybody’s involved with this. It’s a community event.”
The support of the Ridge Landfill Community Trust is integral to the three-day event. Apollo Property Management helps out as well, Russelo said.
Naturally, with a pie-baking contest, there needs to be a pie-eating contest. That takes place after the pie auction.
Interested parties can register for any of these events in advance or sign up day of, Russelo said. Visit blenheimbia.ca to learn more.
Getting to the busy downtown during Cherryfest is not a problem. There will be a shuttle bus running from the Sobey’s parking lot on Chatham Street to the Royal Canadian Legion and back again, with buses coming and going about every 20 minutes from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday and form 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday.
And if you want a different perspective on Cherryfest, hop in a helicopter.
Helicopter rides, offered by Zimmer Air, will take place by the Blenheim Medical Hub on Chatham Street North from noon to 8 p.m. all three days of Cherryfest.
