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Wellness Festival packed with events for all

The countdown is on to the second annual Ashcroft Wellness Festival, and a full line-up of events if planned
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GENEROUS DONATIONS for the Kids’ TRY-athlon—part of the Wellness Festival—have come in from many area businesses. Gary Winslow accepts 20 safety vests from Geri Anderson of Ashcroft Work Wear.

Ashcroft will be hopping this weekend with non-stop activities for the second annual Wellness Awaits You Festival. There’ll be live music, Uncle Chris the Clown, an all-day scavenger hunt, kids’ activities, hikes, vendors, the annual Kids’ TRY-athlon, sushi workshops, automotive “wellness”, yoga classes, Zumba, and so much more that nobody will be able to say honestly, “There’s nothing to do!”

All of the activities are free, with the exception of a few of the workshops, so pick up copy of the schedule of events at the Sun Country office or at the Info Booth on Saturday.

This year’s Festival is centred around the gazebo at Heritage Place Park, and the community bus will be on hand to transport riders to downtown venues. The Info Booth opens at 9 am, but Saturday activities get underway at 7 am with the Inukshuk Trail Hike, with hikers meeting at the Sage Hills Church on Mesa Vista Drive. The Lions start serving breakfast at 8, and yoga with Marijke Stott begins at 8:30 in the Community Hall.

Register as soon as possible at the Info Booth for the free Family Scavenger Hunt, as well as for the sushi making and drumming workshops, both of which have limited seats available and require a small registration fee. The Scavenger Hunt runs from 9–5, and participants will need a camera (or a phone/other device that takes pictures). Prizes will be awarded at 5:30.

Railway Ave. will be closed between 9 and 11 for the 2nd annual Kid’s TRY-athlon. The awards ceremony takes place at 10:30 am. The Kids’ Tent opens at 9 am with loads of activities to keep the young ones occupied, including visits by Uncle Chris the Clown starting at noon. Live music at the gazebo starts at 1 pm, and the lineup includes Spencer’s Dirty Matadors, Granville Johnson (drumming), and Spiritus Mundii.

Bring water, a hat, and loose clothing, because it promises to be another scorcher! Also, bring your own chairs to sit and listen to the music in the cool shade of Heritage Place Park.

Steve “Elvis Elite” Elliott will rock your socks off Saturday night. You don’t want to miss this popular entertainer, who thrilled audiences at last year’s Festival with his high energy, interactive rendition of Elvis tunes (and a bit of Roy Orbison thrown in). Enjoy this free open air concert from 7–9 pm, and again on Sunday morning at 11, as he follows the inter-faith worship service (10–11) with an hour of Elvis’s gospel music.

Hike, walk, dance, ride the Historic Hat Creek Ranch stagecoach, or just sit outside under a tree! Summers in Ashcroft are meant for outdoor enjoyment, so come and enjoy—and be well. Look for updates on Facebook at the Ashcroft Wellness Awaits You Festival group.

Wendy Coomber