Sharp-eyed Tillsonburg residents who got mail sent from a local box will see the Turtle Fest philatelic stamp showing that the mail was processed at the town’s post office. This initiative was started by local postal workers a couple of years back to promote the festival. (Jeff Helsdon photo)
The biggest event of the year in town is hitting Broadway this weekend.
“It’s getting bigger every year,” mentioned Turtlefest coordinator Terry Fraser. “If the weather holds up, we expect even more people than last year.”
Turtlefest kicks off on Friday with opening ceremonies at the Station Arts Centre starting at 4 p. m., following a ribbon cutting at the newly-named Tillson Parkette located at Oxford Street and Broadway. The opening will also showcase the Shell of a Place exhibit at the Station Arts Centre, where gallery-goers can vote for their favorite turtle-themed artwork.
Later on Friday night, excitement builds with a concert featuring Chuck Jackson and Tyler Yarema, former members of the award-winning Downchild Blues Band, performing at Copper Mug from 8 p. m. to 11 p. m.
Annandale National Historic Site will also kick off its Turtle Fest activities on Friday evening with turtle rock painting, large outdoor games, food trucks, and a free outdoor screening of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III on the lawn. Families are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs for an enjoyable movie night experience.
Saturday’s activities downtown will ramp things up with traditional events, new attractions, and some updates to regular features.
One new addition is Saturday morning’s farmers’ market held in front of the Station Arts Centre. This year’s market will include musician Rob Cromwell performing, more “pop-up vendors,” Beres Catering offering food options, and horse-drawn carriage rides available for a fee.
“For most of its 13 years, the Station Arts Centre and Annandale House have been key parts of Turtle Fest,” said Mark Renaud, chair of the Turtle Fest Organizing Committee. “Bringing in the Farmer’s Market this year adds to Tillsonburg’s signature event by providing free fun for everyone.”
“The Tillsonburg Farmer’s Market is thrilled to be part of this year’s Turtle Fest,” commented market president Chris Stubbe. “It’s wonderful to bring community hubs like our market together to celebrate all that Tillsonburg has.” It’s an opportunity for our town to enjoy what our farmers have to offer.”
Change keeps coming in north downtown as well; The Creative Imagination Station at Station Arts Centre is moving from north Broadway down Bridge Street which becomes part of Turtle Fest this year! This area will provide hands-on craft stations for kids like face painting , community mural painting , interactive chalk art station along with cute turtle cutouts ready for fun photos! Entertainer Tia Mc Graff will also perform storytelling sessions throughout noon until six while this space operates!
“Activities like these aim to spark creativity , encourage community participation , plus deliver enjoyment across age groups!” explained Tabitha Verbuyst , Executive Director & Curator over here at Station Art Center. Continuing on that note about changes up north; food trucks shift location now sitting within mall ‘s northern parking lot circle instead! Following last year’s feedback from festival attendees regarding traffic flow improvements. Seating capacity includes room enough accommodating two hundred guests comfortably! Beyond just designated foodie zones; there are patios outside Nectar Cafe restaurant as well as Copper Mug pub & Carriage House dining establishment too!
Downtown favorites such as petting zoo experiences alongside bouncy castles await eager visitors together forming Young Entrepreneurs Alley-also returning Reptalia exhibit runs between eleven am through seven pm – while Broadway showcases one hundred forty vendor booths! Organizer Fraser hopes booth operators include interactive elements showcasing engaging activities offered within displays along Happy Camper Way showcased right down Brock street!
On southern end busker Tim Burr brings lumberjack themed show times set specifically two o’clock four o’clock seven o’clock before main stage audience. Fraser noted possible inclusion juggling chainsaws could feature prominently during performance ! Fire Guy plans entertain jugging flames swallowing fire teasing something fresh brought forward comparing past acts he performed previously Fraser revealed exciting prospects lie ahead!”
Annandale National Historic Site continues hosting events Saturday morning until two pm featuring live turtles carnival games combined Lego Creations based upon unique designs inspired towards turtles slated arriving next spring ! A scavenger hunt geared around turtles awaits discovery too-a museum open house shall occur simultaneously introducing exhibitors lined up including authors Jan&John Everett joining local Horticultural Society Scales Nature Park Toro Lug lego programs Skunk Havenof Dragon ’s Lair presented by Laurel Beechy Long Point Biosphere region-each bringing their own twist creative presentations providing engaging experiences ! Kathleen Watkin expressed enthusiasm stating ,” There nothing quite compares weekends spent enjoying festivities surrounding Annandale House-thrilled welcoming families back grounds celebrating everything turtle related diving deeper into Tillsonburg’s history simply relishing festival atmosphere together.”
Main stage promises lineup diverse talents showcasing performances happening throughout day concluding highlight Canadian country star Nate Haller taking stage promptly nine PM following earlier performances led Coty Robinson Band kicking things off.Source link
