A Midsummer’s Night Dream

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT ‘S DREAM

Summer festivals in B.C. spell pilgrimage for many of us but not for those who know that one of the most beautiful lake-side festivals happens right here in our community. It’s called The Christina Lake Homecoming Summerfest and it’s happening this weekend. Don’t miss it, ’cause:

•  The Provincial Park public beach and picnic grounds become a ‘set extraordinaire’ for a magical midsummer evening celebration. Picture a performance stage steps from a mountain lake luminescent in the moonlight and in the thousands of glow lights on and offshore. The atmosphere is festive but somehow dreamlike; the beach studded with hundreds of people basking in the sheer splendour of a warm summer’s eve. And tuned to the harmonies on stage, or the dancers’ elegant salutation to summer. And to the entrance of a calvacade of light and colour as“The Light Up the Lake” boat parade soundlessly drifts by the beach. On one night of the year, visitors to the lake are transported to some shining and peaceable kingdom and this is the night.

           The accent is on the local. The two morning markets – Saturday’s at the Community Hall and Sunday’s in the old Crow & Bear parking lot – feature local produce, art,crafts, historical displays, activity leaders and musicians. And cooks – Saturday’s market kicks off with a pancake breakfast at 8:00 a.m.

•  The imaginative planning makes the homecoming festival an interactive weekend for all. Festival goers are invited to participate in (in addition to entering their boat into contest for brightest and best decorated boat in the boat parade) a raft race, a pickleball tournament, a drumming workshop, a harmonica workshop, a mountainbike coaching session for kids, a bike park derby for ‘little lakers’ (all new this year), and a glow volleyball tournament. Oh, and an invitation to bring a ‘solar light’ to add your own dazzle to the evening celebrations.

Alpha Yaya Diallo (Juno-winning guitarist originally from West Africa) will be performing on Friday night, and leading a drum workshop on Saturday.

• • There’s something for everyone – kids, toddlers, adults, aspiring musicians, dancers,recreational athletes, ‘float’ designers, pancake lovers….

 Between the beach volleyball, raft racing, pickleball and drum workshops, the festival organizers remember to feed you! The Christina Lake Fire Department hosts a ‘by donation’ community BBQ between 5-7:00 pm and the Parent Advisory Council keeps a concession running until 10:30 p.m.

It’s  a night to be a proud Boundarian, thanks to the tremendous efforts of the Homecoming Committee and sponsorship of the Regional District. Show the festival off to your guests, and remember to bring your glow light on Saturday night!

For more information, go to facebook.com/christina lake homecoming summer festival.