As summer draws closer, so does the Ashcroft Wellness Festival (July 19-21) being organized by the Ashcroft branding committee. They made a presentation to Ashcroft Council on Apr. 22 to update the councillors.
The committee has held two fundraisers since November, Deb Arnott told Council, and raised just over $7,000. It makes for a shoestring budget, she said, but the committee was adamant from the beginning that it would not ask local businesses for money to fund the Festival. She said part of the point of having the Festival is so the businesses can benefit from the hundreds of people coming in from out of town to enjoy the event.
Because the group is a little shy on funding, each of the committee members has agreed to kick in $100 each to make it all happen.
May 31 is the deadline for vendors and planning. The group already has heard from several interested vendors and has lined up music from local band Flat Busted and Elvis impersonator Steve Elliott.
They also have plans for plenty of tours, hikes, workshops, demonstrations such as yoga and tai chi, a mini-geocaching event, a mini-triathalon, children’s activities, free swimming and many more activities, all free.
“We’re not trying to sell Ashcroft to the world,” said committee member Jack Jeyes, “but to bring our brand alive to Ashcroft residents.”
Much of the activity will happen downtown along Railway Ave., which the group is hoping Council will agree to close to traffic for the weekend.