Mayor David Gillan appeared online at Monday's council meeting. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW staff)

By Angela Brown

"A Salute to the CUplex"

City council approves ‘Fall Blast’ festival proposal

Jul 19, 2022 | 8:15 AM

North Battleford residents will have something to look forward to this fall without leaving home.

City council approved a recommendation for a new annual fall festival at its meeting Monday.

Parks and Recreation Director Cheryl DeNeire made the proposal for an annual event called “Fall Blast,” with the theme “A Salute to the CUplex” for 2022. The event would run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 1 at the CUplex, as a grand finalé for 10-year anniversary celebrations taking place there in September.

Some of the activities administration suggested as part of the event include a pancake breakfast, possibly a fun cosplay contest, inflatables for the kids, family challenges, a family movie showing at the pool followed by a swim, a mini powwow, a hotdog lunch and entertainment by local musicians.

“These are just suggestions at the moment. We would have to ensure this is the proper line up,” DeNeire said.

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She noted the city currently doesn’t host any annual festivals that enable residents to come together to celebrate as a community so this event will fill a gap.

“As we start to find our adjusted path coming out of Covid, now that it has slowed, the importance of community wellness has been further identified as a needed integral part of this community,” DeNeire said. “It’s part of being a healthy and safe community as well.”

She added that holding annual events such as this one will help foster inclusion and a sense of belonging in North Battleford.

“We truly believe it’s time to celebrate as a community.”

In future years, administration will suggest up to $20,000 be budgeted to hold two events a year. But for 2022 they are requesting half of that amount in funding, currently not budgeted, to host this one event.

Council approved the resolution to allocate up to $10,000 from the city’s general government operating fund to host the 2022 Fall Blast festival.

“It’s an excellent idea,” Mayor David Gillan said of the proposal.

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW