Dig out your plaid attire and get ready for some fun and exciting attractions hitting the streets of Peace River for this year’s Rotaract River Days!
The event is making its appearance for the third year in a row starting on June 19 and running until June 21. The festival is the brainchild of the Peace River Rotaract, a group focused on providing recreational and community-based opportunities to people in the region.
“People in the community really enjoy this event,” says Rotaract president Louise Small.
“Everyone wears plaid and even if it’s really hot, they’ll tie their plaids around their waist or wear a plaid hat. We sell plaid merch during the Plaid Days and many of the stores in town do, too.”
Rotaract River Days is also affectionately known Plaid Days for its Paint the Town Plaid theme. It will kick off on June 19 with a parade at 5 p.m., followed by a Jet Boat Show and Shine, Navs Hockey Shootout, Legion Comedy and Open Mic, Art Hub exhibit and vendors, Thrash and Bash Skate Contest, Peace Primates Arm Wrestling, beer gardens and food trucks, and live music and dancing all starting at 6 p.m. The evening will wrap up at 11 p.m. All events are part of the 101st Street Block Party.
Small says the Block Party Stage will be set up between the theatre and the Legion on the street and Peace River Brewing will have their beer gardens operational.
“We’re running our event in conjunction with the Peace River Jetboat Association again,” explains Small.
“We held last year’s event alongside the World Jet Boat competition so last year we had a lot of jet boats in the parade. This year we are expecting more local businesses all participating with the plaid theme.”
Small says they are currently accepting registrations for the parade on their website at www.peacerotaract.com. She adds there is access to a form to register for the plaid parade, to have a booth at the vendor market, or to register for the Riverfront Fun Fair.
Saturday will be cruising to fun starting with the Gold Cup Jet Boat Races at 9 a.m. at Riverfront Park.
At 10 a.m., events will include Mann’s Landing Market, Riverfront Fun Fair, Mining for Money, face painting, River Kings 3-on-3 basketball, bouncy castles and laser tag, live music and entertainment, and beer gardens and food trucks. The much-loved foam party will make an appearance at 4 p.m.
“So many community groups reached out to us to help add extra attractions to our event,” says Small.
“New this year is the Thrash and Bash Skateboarding contest on Friday evening. We’re excited about this because it will help bring in something for the teens to do, we’re able to target the youth demographic that we feel we might have missed in previous years.”
Small says many of the local businesses get into the hype of River Days and make the event that much more fun for attendees, organizers and other businesses.
“Rotaract River Days brings people together with something for everyone; live entertainment, fun for the kids, great food, and a chance to celebrate all the awesome things Peace River has to offer,” says Small.
“If you’ve never been, you’re missing out! It’s a plaid-themed weekend packed with free, family-friendly fun, big laughs, and new experiences all organized by people who truly care about this community.”
Sunday will continue the fun with more activities at Riverfront Park. The Gold Cup Jet Boat Races will continue at 10 a.m. and there will also be a flapjack breakfast provided, at noon Princess Party in the Park will be held, followed by Garden Tea Party and Superhero Showdown at 1:30 p.m.
“The Princess Party is a full-on experience of fairy tale magic,” says Small.
“We will have real princesses that are part of Edmonton’s Finest Enchanted Princesses putting on a live performance at 12:30 p.m. They will then do a Bibbity Bobbity Bubble Dance Party and kids can take pictures with the princesses.”
Small says the Garden Tea Party has been created for the seniors in the region to have tea together with real teacups and teapots, some sweet treats and fancy hats.
For more information on Rotaract River Days, check out their extensive posts on Peace River Rotaract 2.0 Facebook page or visit their website.
Small adds they are always looking for friendly faces to help with set up, games, and general coordination. If you’re interested, please email peace.rotaract@ gmail.com.
Rotaract River Days is also partially supported by the Town of Peace River, Northern Sunrise County and County of Northern Lights.
Emily Plihal
Local Journalism
Initiative Reporter