After a two-year hiatus Callander’s legendary FunFest returns with a bang on Saturday, June 25th. The day is full of activities and events for the whole family, and Mayor Robb Noon mentioned that if all goes well, the new playground at Centennial Park will also be unveiled to the public with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
The day begins at 7:30 a.m. with a pancake breakfast at the Community Centre. Hosted by the Callander Fire Department, the funds raised help offset the cost of the fireworks display. The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for kids under ten. During the breakfast, the winners of a pie-baking contest will be announced as well. Residents can enter that contest by dropping off their pie by 8 a.m. at the Community Centre. Make sure the pie is apple.
See: Fire those ovens Callander, FunFest wants your best pie
Donations for the food bank will also be accepted throughout the breakfast, which winds down at 10:00 a.m. Once full of pancakes, everyone is invited to the FunFest parade, which begins at Sunbeam Bungalows and winds down Main Street to Centennial Park.
Opening ceremonies take place at the park at noon, and there will be food and craft vendors selling their wares from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Many vendors only accept cash, so it’s best to bring some along.
There will be games, bouncy castles, face painting, a bubble booth, fire trucks, and a few other surprises as well. Live music will be provided by Andre & Marie, The County, and Rock Choir. Activities run until 5:00, then everything takes a break until the fireworks show at dusk, which also takes place at Centennial Park.
If it rains, all of the above action (minus the fireworks) will take place at the Community Centre, and the municipality kindly asks that you leave your dogs at home, no matter how badly they want to watch the parade.
It’s been a while since the town hosted the FunFest, “and it’s going to be nice to see everyone back out,” Mayor Noon said. “It’s a great atmosphere for family and friends, and I think the town will be excited to get together again.”
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David Briggs is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of BayToday, a publication of Village Media. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
