Sask. festivals gear up for more active summer
With COVID-19 restrictions likely to loosen in Saskatchewan through June and July, organizers of events, festivals and tourist attractions are rethinking their summer plans.
Jonathan Potts with Tourism Saskatchewan says that after a year of adversity, many event planners are stepping up to the challenge while other volunteer organizers are choosing to hold off.
“Because things are changing quite rapidly it’s quite tricky for some to prepare depending on lead time they need, but we do have a very entrepreneurial industry, and a very adaptable industry,” Potts says.
Andriy Bondar chairs the Ukrainian Day in the Park committee. One of the main reasons he wanted to get involved is for his daughter, four-year-old Veronica.
He’s been living in Canada for five years and wanted to be involved in the festival that celebrates and showcases Ukrainian culture.
Last year their August event had to be cancelled and this year the board has a plan, but it is still being finalized.
“We don’t know if we’ll have a live broadcast from a location or if it will be 100 per cent pre-recorded and just played on the day of the event,” Bondar said.
August 28 is the date they will be sharing culture with performances, food vendor promotions and a few surprises, Bodnar says.
He says it was challenging for the volunteer board to come to a decision about hosting the event – but they didn’t want to hold off for another year.
The Ness Creek Music Festival originally cancelled their regular event but is adapting and having smaller venues to accommodate restrictions.
Organizers at Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan Festival have one play planned, Macbeth, starting in July but audience capacity limits could change to allow more people into the theatre.
The Fringe is also planning a hybrid event with some virtual and in-person shows while Taste of Saskatchewan is moving to August instead of July.
The Prairie Lily riverboat in Saskatoon is going to set sail starting June 24, with 30 per cent capacity.
The Saskatoon Ex and the Regina Exhibition are going ahead in August with a schedule that allows for cleaning days. The Prince Albert Exhibition website says it is cancelled for 2021.
The SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival is announcing its plans on Thursday while the Country Thunder music festival in Craven has been cancelled.
Folkfest in Saskatoon is holding a three day festival in late August which will be mainly virtual. There are some interactive elements in the works with some pavilion food sale days in July and Aug leading up to the virtual event.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
New charges for Ont. woman who previously admitted to defrauding doulas
The Brantford, Ont. woman who was previously sentenced to house arrest after admitting to deceiving doulas has been charged again in connection to a new victim.