The 19th annual Summer Solstice Festival is coming to Gravelbourg, beginning tomorrow evening with the International Food Festival at 6pm.
Festival organizer Toos Giesen-Stefiuk listed 12 nationalities who are bringing some amazing delicacies, some returning from years previous, some new to the event, and some local.
“We have quite a mix of people here in Gravelbourg,” said Giesen-Stefiuk. “You get a taste from all different countries and the music.”
Italy, Germany, East India, Africa, Ukraine, Holland, France, Philippines, Mexico: there will be something appetizing for everyone to try. The International Food Festival has a $5 entrance fee, and then food tickets are available for purchase to try the goods at different booths.
Alberta grassroots country band Boots & the Hoots are set to provide musical entertainment that evening as well.
On Saturday, Main Street will be bustling with activity — beginning with the parade at 11 a.m. This year’s theme is “games.” Following the parade, the Street Fair has about 40 vendors itching to set up, alongside a Children’s Carnival in front of Styles For Home Garden & Living.
Giesen-Stefiuk promised the “games” theme will absolutely continue after the parade, with interactive games set up at the Children’s Carnival, a super-sized chess board for folks to play, and drop-in bingo beginning at 1 p.m.
Later that evening, there will be a family-friendly cabaret — kids welcome — in Soucy Park, beginning at 7 p.m. On the stage will be folk-musician Keiffer Mclean, Jobi Nichol, and country-rock band Kings & Renegades.
Admission is $10 to the evening, and Giesen-Stefiuk says it will go on rain or shine — although if there is rain, the show will be moved to the auditorium of Collège Mathieu.
On Sunday at the Cultural Centre, the Gravelbourg Francophone Association will be celebrating Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day with a supper at 6 p.m., followed by entertainment from Michel Lalonde, a francophone singer-songwriter who has made Regina home.
Tickets for the supper are $10 for kids up to 12 years old, $20 for ages 13 and up, and $35 for a family.
The weekend promises all kinds of fun, good food, and wonderful Saskatchewan entertainment. The Summer Solstice Facebook is the best place to keep up with updates about the event.
