Turtlefest expands for two day event June 14 & 15
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Get ready for not one, but two fantastic, fun-filled days of Turtlefest in Tillsonburg on Friday, June 14 and Saturday, June 15, 2013.
For the first time this year, the annual event will include two days of displays, demonstrations, rides and entertainment for the entire family to enjoy.
Turtlefest kicks off late Friday afternoon in downtown Tillsonburg.
“This will be the third year for Turtlefest, but the first year for a two day event.” said Cedric Tomico, vice-chair of the Tillsonburg Business Improvement Area (BIA). “The BIA has had some form of participation in all three years, but this is the first year for our Friday night event. We do hope that it goes very well this year, and we definitely would like to see it again next year.”
The BIA is one of several organizations and local community groups on the Turtlefest committee working together to make this year’s event another great success. Part of that added success this year will come in the form of the Turtlefest block party Friday afternoon and evening, beginning at 5 p.m. and finishing up around 11:30 p.m that night.
Turtlefest gets underway with a vintage car parade down Broadway beginning at 5:30 p.m. Cars will line up at North Broadway Baptist Church and parade down the main street in Tillsonburg
Highlights of the block party Friday evening include the entertainment lineup which boasts Canadian country artists Brad James, Amy Churm and Michael Warren, who will keep the crowds entertained on the live stage.
Friday’s block party will encompass the two most southern blocks of Broadway between Oxford and Rideout streets, and in addition to the live music, will host an inflatable area for kids, a VIP area, a licensed area for drinks, and several vendors providing demonstrations and services downtown.
“I believe we’re at full capacity at this point, so every business will be hosting some kind of event or zone in front of their stores.
“There will be a surprise Friday night,” added Tomico. “We just have to make sure we all pray for good weather, that’s the only other piece we need.”
On the second day of Turtlefest, Saturday June 15, families in Tillsonburg will enjoy more family oriented activities, rides and events throughout the day.
“We’ve got a lot going on – things are starting around 10 o’clock in the morning,” said Julie Dawley, program coordinator with the Tillsonburg Community Centre. “We have all day entertainment – we have a special performance from 1 -2 p.m. with Music by Brian, who will be joined by two characters, a hippo and a lion. He does musical performances with these two animal characters and involves the children in the performance.”
Events and activities will take place in and around Lake Lisgar Waterpark and Lake Lisgar and include the popular dragon boat races, a carnival midway with rides for the kids, pony and stagecoach rides, several vendors, food booths and a car show in the park. There will also be a half price swim at Lake Lisgar Waterpark Saturday as a special opening day as part of Turtlefest noted Dawley,
In addition, Annandale National Historic Site will be hosting crafts and games for kids for half a day in the morning, and will also have a 180-pound tortoise that will be on display. The Station Arts Centre is also holding a turtle treat baking contest children and adults, a reptile show and their Creative Imaginations Festival will be taking place on the grass next to.
Last but not least, there will be there will be educational demonstrations as well, including one on fire safety and of course a live turtle display.
“We’ve doubled our size, changing it to a two day event so we’re hoping to double or more our attendance this year,” said Dawley. “It’s a great family day with something for everyone.”
For more information visit www.turtlefest.ca or visit the Turtlefest event page on Facebook.