The smells of sunscreen and barbecued hamburgers filled the air as Boyle ’s third annual Wildberry Festival brought a record turnout.
The smells of sunscreen and barbecued hamburgers filled the air as Boyle ’s third annual Wildberry Festival brought a record turnout.
The amount of people coming out was double what it was in 2013 - the 2014 festival was combined with Boyle ’s centennial celebration and, therefore, not comparable - and everyone seemed to be having a great time on the hot Saturday afternoon.
“Enbridge and the (Highway 63/881) Coalition served over 500 hamburgers and 250 hot dogs (at their free barbecue). So the crowd had to be 500-plus to serve, ” said Terry Mudryk-Harbarenko, an event organizer. “It was beautiful to see all the smiles on the kids ’ faces. I think that's ultimately the reason that we do it: to give families an opportunity to come to something that's free and a really good time. ”
The festival started last Friday with a Wildberry Jam, where anyone with any musical talent was welcome and encouraged to come out and play. According to Mudryk-Harbarenko, over 70 people came out to it.
“Everybody that was local talent came up and did their songs and took their turns, ” she said. “Those that liked to dance, danced. It was a fun evening for a Friday night. ”
Saturday was busiest day of the festival. It began with a pancake breakfast that almost 300 people came out to - most of the money raised will go towards Boyle ’s walking trails project - and a parade.
Then the fun really began.
“It was something for everybody, ” Mudryk-Harbarenko continued. “I noticed a lot of the men were intrigued with the fish and wildlife and some of the RCMP. The fire department put on a really cool kids carnival as well -that was busy. ”
There was also a street dance, a petting zoo and face painting.
“It really had that fun festival atmosphere and I think everybody that came had a really good time, ” she said.
On Sunday, there was a community church service that ended later than expected because “people just didn ’t leave. The music just kept going on and it was 12:45 p.m. before the music was finally finished. Those that came totally enjoyed it. ”
Mudryk-Harbarenko believes that this year was such a success because of their aggressive advertising techniques. More people just knew that it was happening.
“Of course, every time that we get more people on board with displays and open house and all those kinds of things, it just makes it a very interesting day, ” she said. “We're overall pleased with the entire event. ”
The event will be held next year on the first Saturday of August. The hope is, of course, to make it even better.
“Everybody is really looking forward to next year and we're hoping to put on a bigger and better event, ” she concluded.
