As (sort of) promised last week, here is a shorter column, out of order. We usually write once every two weeks, but we were so excited by all of the arts and entertainment possibilities being offered by the Trout Festival committee that we just have to write more this week.
Many of you went to the Fish Fry, organized in large part by the Flin Flon Arts Council, and certainly had a great time listening and dancing to Johnny’s Anti-Social Club Band with the beautiful and talented Jennifer Hanson on lead vocals. She was very ably assisted by Brent Lethbridge on lead guitar, John Bettger on bass, Kevin Imrie on keyboard and Craig Bancroft on drums. Only Bancroft did not participate in the singing - too busy keeping the beat, we expect - but the others all took their turns in the spotlight to the delight of the crowd.
Both Imrie and Bettger have incredible voices and have often wowed Flin Flon and area audiences with their vocal prowess, but the rockin’ Mr. Lethbridge is no slouch either, as he demonstrated with several numbers throughout the evening. He usually sings in harmony with his wife Susan Lethbridge, who was missed on this wonderful night.
By the time this newspaper is published, we will already have seen the Buskers on Main Street event which features RockKut, unplugged; Brett Holland and Nicole Beaulieu; Noelle Drimmie (with, if we are very lucky, Daisy Spencer); Matthew Francis; Deck to Deck; Ron Burwash; Bobby Smith and Almost Sisters and friends. The performances will be on both sides of Main Street, beginning right after the community barbeque which is sponsored by the City of Flin Flon and Hudbay. The food will be served in Pioneer Square in front of the big tent that will house the Artisans Market. We will give a little review of the buskers in the next column. Some new acts have volunteered to play and we are very excited to see them. Stay tuned.
On June 30, we have the Beat the Chief Event and barbecue at the Fire Hall at 11:30 a.m., then the second annual Ross Lake Regatta on the shores and in the waters of Ross Lake, right in the centre of town. There will be musical entertainment from the No Name Band (they all have names - Holly Freeborn, Lyle Wallaker, Ann Ross and Doug McGregor) and Low Budget Rock Star from Opaskwayak Cree Nation. There will be kayaks and canoes (but feel free to bring your own) that can be launched from the brand-new floating dock at the entrance to Flinty’s Boardwalk. There will be food available for purchase at Mike’s Ice and Burger and there will be seating on dry land for those of us who would not get into a canoe for love nor money. The Flin Flon Fire Department will be on hand to rescue anyone who might stranded on the lake and you can stay out on the water to watch the fireworks display at 11 p.m., courtesy of course of the Flin Flon Fireworks Committee. Sounds like a great evening.
Canada Day begins with the traditional Parade through town, leaving Arctic Radio on Green Street at 11 a.m. and winding its way through town and all the way out to the Creighton ball diamond, where food trucks and yet another stage show will help you to while away your afternoon in the sunshine. The featured acts are Niki and Maria Keramydas, Ann Ross and Doug McGregor, Evelyn Mitchell, Jenna Thompson, Mark Kolt with Carrera Pickering and Kaleb Olson, Noelle Drimmie and Daisy Spencer, Anna Harrison, Kristin Imrie and Kevin Imrie, the Silver Evening Star Singers and the Friendship Centre traditional dancers. The afternoon will open with the colour party from the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 73 and will be hosted by Drayden Lowe. We must say, it’s wonderful to see these young performers taking the reins and strutting their stuff for regional audiences. The Force is with them and they are carrying on a long and magnificent tradition in our little hometown.
We know we said this would be a shorter column, but we would be very remiss if we did not mention that Trout Festival ain’t over till it’s over and there is Beaver Lake Day at Denare Beach July 2. They will have races and competitions, mainly for children and teens, canoe races for adults and teens, bouncy houses, food trucks and cultural entertainment. The winners of the Fishing Derby and the Share the North 50/50 will be announced. Festivities get underway at noon and there will be fireworks at the main beach around 11:45 p.m. A big day to cap an amazing Trout Festival.
