On behalf of the BridgeFest 2011 Committee, Battlefords United Way recently announced BATC Community Development Corporation has captured the title sponsorship for this year's event.
"This sponsorship of $24,000 is testament to BATC CDC's commitment to community and dedication to creating pride and belonging in the Battlefords," said the United Way in a press release announcing the sponsorship.
BridgeFest 2011 is slated for Aug. 27 at Battleford Flats.
With a sponsorship level of more than $90,000 in the third year of the community festival, BridgeFest co-chair Chris Odishaw says, "officially, we are set."
The $24,000 committed by the Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs Community Development Corporation and a $25,000 grant from the provincial government's Community Initiatives Fund (CIF) Community Vitality Program and another are the cornerstones of a sponsorship program that will cover, among other expenses, a $30,000 entertainment bill.
Reviewing the entertainment and activities for the 2011 BridgeFest to be held Aug. 27., the organizing committee agreed with Odishaw last week there is no need to ask the community for any more cash, although they are happy to welcome any additional partners, sponsors, volunteers and participants.
With the biggest entertainment budget so far, BridgeFest will again run three stages - the main entertainment stage, a family stage and a beer gardens stage.
Entertainment will begin on the main stage at 11 a.m.
Among the entertainers are those returning for a second year, including Charles Zielke, Jackwagon, JayDee Hypnotist and A Perfect Punchline.
New this year are a Michael Jackson impersonator, and an aboriginal drumming group.
The winner of the Battle Inn the 'Fords Battle of the Bands Competition (to be held during North West Territorial Days in August) will also appear.
The headliner, Juno award winner Bif Naked, will perform at 9:30 p.m. To follow will be closing ceremonies and fireworks at 9 p.m.
Opening for Bif Naked at 6:15 p.m. are Chad Klinger, originally from Lashburn, and, at 7:30 p.m., The Sheepdogs, a Saskatoon rock band.
The family stage will feature entertainment and activities starting at 9 a.m., finishing up about 5 p.m.
In the beer gardens, local band Feedback, will entertain at 11 p.m., following the headliner.
This kind of entertainment, free to the public, is what sets BridgeFest apart from other events, committee members say.
Activities throughout the day will include everything from last year, plus more, including the return of skateboarding demonstrations. New this year will be a chance for kids to try their hand at curling and at gymnastics. There will also be a demonstrations and instruction in Zumba and belly dancing. There are also plans for an "Amazing Race" type of scavenger hunt. Plus, there will be a slo-pitch tournament.
Updated information on entertainment and activities is available on the BridgeFest website www.battlefordsbridgefest.com.
BridgeFest, the World's Biggest Bridge Party, is aimed at bringing the community together for a family event, something for all ages and interests. Being presented by the Battlefords United Way in partnership with the Town of Battleford and the City of North Battleford. Odishaw said the whole intent of BridgeFest was to bring the community together for one special event that they could take pride in, "bridging" Battleford and North Battleford and the many different people within those communities and the district.
The idea was born out of a series of meetings among community members, called community conversations, that were spearheaded by the United Way.
