Volunteers are hard at work preparing the grounds for Athabasca’s 21st annual Magnificent River Rats Festival.
The festival will kick off June 30 with a performance by the Mikisew Cree Drummers. Headliners Sharon and Bram will skinnamarink onto the stage at 6 p.m.
Other performers through the weekend include the Vancouver pop band Doug and the Slugs, folk band Coldwater Road and Celtic-rock group the Derina Harvey Band. Also gracing the River Rats stage for a second time is a fan-favourite – the bagpipe-blaring Johnny McCuaig Band.
“We’ve got a really good line up that’s going to be fresh for everyone, and hopefully they discover some new and up-and-coming artists that they would love to follow as their careers develop,” said Ida Edwards, president of the Magnificent River Rats Festival Society. “It’s going to make for a really fun night.”
To celebrate Canada Day, the Athabasca Lions Club will host a pancake breakfast July 1. The Royal Canadian Legion will put on a salute to Canada at noon and the music starts up again at 1 p.m. and continues until the fireworks in the late evening.
Edwards said classic events, like the marketplace and food stands will run alongside and new hits like the beer garden.
“I think the best part of this festival is it’s in our hometown and people can really enjoy themselves without having to travel very far,” she said.
“If you’re from Lakeland country, take a break from the lake and come into town and see what this community has to offer. Because we do have a lot of special small-town flavour and fun for everybody,” she added.
Anyone who wants to volunteer with the festival can contact the Magnificent River Rats Festival committee members at mrrfestival@gmail.com.
