Whitecourt’s first ever Summer Fest was a hit

From July 12 until July 14, downtown Whitecourt was transformed into an all-out carnival extravaganza for the first ever Summer Fest. The Whitecourt & District Chamber of Commerce decided to change things up this year after an opportunity presented itself. “When we found out that Wild Rose Shows was willing to come out and spend three days in town, on a weekend, we decided to go ahead with it,” explained Nancy Johnson, owner of Beaver Creek General Store and committee chair for Summer Fest.

“This was honestly planned quickly about three months ago. We needed to secure the midway first and once that happened everything else just kind of fell together like it was a perform storm. We are really happy about how it worked out.” Back in June, West Coast Amusements set up for a one-day event as they had previously. Their stop was planned a year in advance so even though Summer Fest was already in the works at that time they still had to follow through with the one-day carnival. Johnson said they received comments from the public.

“There have always been comments when we had the midways during the week when parents have to work and that they are only set up for one day.” Summer Fest is the joining of the spring and fall festivals and the Chamber hopes that the public will like the set up. “The festivals were popular. Everybody loved them.”

There were buskers performing on the streets, downtown businesses had sidewalk sales, an outdoor market was set up in the mall parking lot, and there was live entertainment. Local musician Kevin McKenzie was put in charge of recruiting the musical talent and had well over 30 musicians lined up ahead of the weekend. “He’s hosting the entertainment in the beer gardens and I’m really excited about it. He gave me a few of the names that are going to be there, and I think everyone is going to be really pleased.” A big stage was set up in the mall parking lot with a beer garden and food trucks.

On Saturday afternoon, 49th Street was lined with beautiful vehicles in all makes, models, and colours for a huge Show & Shine sponsored by Whitecourt Ford. Not only were there local vehicles in the mix but members of the Edson Car Club cruised in for the show, too. From vintage mustangs to rat rods, Herbie the Beetle, wicked trucks, and a lone 70’s era motorcycle, the show was packed with people from start to finish.

“If Summer Fest is a success, then I believe we will do our best to make it a yearly festival in town and, hopefully, each and every year it will grow bigger with more entertainment and participants,” said Johnson. “Lots of people come to town already because we have things like Rotary Park that provide good free family fun and it’s a beautiful place to go. This will add one more wonderful free thing for families to come to. Of course, the rides aren’t free, but you can come out and enjoy the atmosphere and the live entertainment from musicians and buskers who are performing for everyone.”

Many communities charge to enter the grounds of a fair but the unique set up in Whitecourt allows people to walk through the festival area and enjoy all aspects without paying an entry fee. Thanks to wonderful sunny weather the carnival was very well attended by young and old. “It’s super satisfying when a festival comes off without a hook, the weather co-operates, and everyone enjoys it. You can’t ask for a better feeling.”