Spences Bridge is busy preparing for its third annual Desert Daze Festival, Aug. 17-19. The event, held at the old school grounds, features a jam-packed musical line-up and a wide variety of other events for all ages.
“We’ve planned more activities for festival-goers this year,” says Maya Chang, festival coordinator. “Our pickling workshop is back by popular demand and we have more vendors attending. This year, we’re excited to have guitar, writing, yoga, music history, and drumming workshops all taking place inside the school.”
The always popular apple-bobbing and seed-spitting contests are back. “The seed-spitting champion spat 27 feet and 10 inches last year,” said Steve Rice, activity organizer and festival emcee. “The apple bob was popular with the kids.” Anyone up for the challenge should plan on joining the activities on Saturday afternoon.
Kite-flyer Dale Pattison has also been added to the program, and hopes to be able to fly his 11-metre show kite. “I find it really relaxing, you go out there and you just fly your kite and you think about nothing,” Pattison said. “I just love it, it’s my passion.” Attempts to fly the kite will be made on Saturday and Sunday mornings during the Pancake Breakfast, hosted by the Spences Bridge Fire Department.
The festival kicks off on Friday at 5 pm with an Aboriginal welcome ceremony by the Siska Indian Band Drummers. More than 20 acts - including favourite local musicians Richie and the Fendermen from Lytton, Flat Busted from Spences Bridge, and Mudville from Ashcroft - will perform on an outdoor stage. Tickets cost between $10 and $60, and will be for sale at the gate (cash only).
For more information on the Desert Daze Festival, visit www.desertdaze.ca .