The 2012 Magnificent River Rats Festival is less than three weeks away, and the organizing team is pulling out all the stops to make it an unforgettable event.
“We’re down to the short strokes,” said festival president Rod Foster. “It’s been a fun time, it’s been a very trying time, but we’ve got everything covered.”
The hard-working organizing team for this year’s event includes Foster, Bill Cruthers, Justin MacLeod, Frank Ponto, Duane and Irene Fitzsimmons and Doug and Heather Kariel. They’ve been meeting every Wednesday night for the past few months and putting in the considerable effort it takes to bring an event of this size together.
This year’s event will be stretched over two days; Saturday, June 30 and Sunday, July 1. Entrance to the grounds at the riverfront will be $10 on both days, and each day will boast lots of entertainment sure to appeal to everybody.
Sure to be a highlight on Saturday is the annual parade, but there’s lots more planned after that. For starters, kids will want to flock to the riverfront (especially since kids under the age of 10 get in free) as there will be a lot of activities planned just for them on Saturday. The kids zone will be open from noon to 5 p.m.
“That’s when the toys are coming out. It will be a huge day,” promised Foster.
Canada Day ceremonies will start the day on Sunday including the Legion’s parade to the riverfront, some words of remembrance and a moment of silence.
Other weekend activities will include canoe rentals and a jet boat tour of the river.
After some debate, it has been decided that there will not be a beer tent this year.
A big highlight of the festival every year is the lineup of musical performers and this year is no different. This year’s headliners include Shane Chisholm and Johnny Cash tribute band Big River (Saturday) and Canadian rocker Bif Naked (Sunday) with a strong supporting lineup including Valdy, Carson Cole, Mindweiser, Wild T and the Spirit, Coal Creek Boys, Bookie Patrol and Emile’s Old Tyme Dance Band.
Foster said concert goers can also expect performances from talented local musicians and dancers, and all of it on the big stage.
Though the organizing committee is small, there are a lot of people coming together to help make the festival a success.
The Athabasca Rotary Club is lending a hand as is the Athabasca Aces hockey club. The Athabasca Lions Club will be taking care of all of the food at the event. Athabasca County and the Town of Athabasca are both big sponsors of this year’s event, while a number of businesses in the downtown core will be supporting the event in a variety of ways.
“The volunteers have been great. We couldn’t have done it without them,” said Foster. “It’s been a pleasure working with them.
“We’ve got a lot done, but there’s a lot more to do.”
For more on the event, visit the website at www.riverratsfestival.com and watch the Advocate in the coming weeks for profiles on some of the event’s headlining performers.
