Emily Plihal
Local Journalism
Initiative Reporter
Falher will be buzzing this weekend, as the annual Honey Festival takes over the town streets again from June 13-15.
Organizer Tatum Small says it’s the most BEEautiful time of year for area residents, with plenty of activities for the whole family.
“It’s a great time to come out and see what our small town has to offer,” says Small.
“I think everyone who is able should attend, there’s something for everyone,” she adds.
The Honey Festival will kick off on Friday afternoon, with bouncy castles available at the Falher Regional Recreation Complex. Opening ceremonies for the festival will be at 5:30 p.m. at the Smoky River Community Hall (formerly called Centre Chevalier) on Main Street. The evening will wrap up with a catered supper at 6:15 p.m. with live music until last call.
“It’s a free family event with lots to do,” says Small.
“We’ve made sure to add things for people of all ages to do, and we’re hoping the whole community and surrounding communities will come out to check the festival out,” she adds.
The entire weekend will feature the ever-popular baseball tournament, but this year the competitions will be held at the Donnelly and Girouxville baseball diamonds. Falher’s diamonds are currently under construction to modernize them for future ball tournament use.
As part of the fundraiser for the baseball diamonds, Small says the Honey Festival committee and Falher Ball Diamond Revitalization group have joined forces to host Country artist Gord Bamford on Saturday night.
“We decided to try something different and work together with the Falher Ball Diamond Revitalization group to make this happen,” she says, noting they are currently selling tickets, hoping to have them all sold before the event.
“If it’s not sold out, we will have some for sale at the door. There is not a supper included, but we will have a food truck on site.”
Small says children will be excited to play all the yard games that will be on hand at the Falher Regional Recreation Complex grounds, including corn hole, bubbles, chalk, Giant Connect 4, Giant Jenga, Giant Tic-Tac-Toe and much more.
“We’re excited to host our parade again at 10 a.m. on Saturday morning,” says Small.
“The route will start at the Smoky River Community Hall, go east toward Villa Beausejour, then will loop back around on the north side of Ecole Routhier, head towards the recreation complex, and circle back to the hall.”
Small says people who want to register a float for the parade can go to the Honey Festival Facebook page to register.
Saturday kicks off with a pancake breakfast at 9 a.m., followed by the parade, mini-market, yard games, beach volleyball tournament, bouncy castles, food trucks and so much more. Princess and superhero enthusiasts will be happy to attend the Princess and Superhero picnic at noon on Saturday at the recreation complex.
“There will be live music on Saturday at the arena with more details being posted soon,” says Small.
“We will wrap up the weekend with a Fathers’ Day Brunch at the Smoky River Community Hall on Sunday from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m.”
Small says interested folks should follow their Honey Festival Facebook page for complete schedule details.