It's here -- Turtlefest 2014 officially opens
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The 4th annual Turtlefest officially kicked off Friday afternoon with opening ceremonies at Metro on Broadway, featuring a cake-cutting, greetings from Mayor Dave Beres, MP Dave MacKenzie, Turtlefest co-chair Carrie Smith and BIA's Cedric Tomico. To help get everyone in the turtle spirit, colouring contest entries were on display, turtle cookies and donuts were available, as well as Turtlefest memorabilia.
Make sure you wear those T-shirts!
Live music was provided after the cake-cutting by Tillsonburg's Charlotte and Scot Bolton (aka "The Von Boltons"), a guitar-playing and singing father-daughter duet.
Earlier today, the Footprints Museum and Heritage Home opened for a 'My Town - A Reflection of 50 Years' open house with Margaret Fishback Powers providing tours. At 4 p.m. the Cruise In Downtown also kicked off.
One of the Turtlefest highlights Friday, of course, is the Downtown Block Party on Broadway. In addition to live music (A Country Concert in the Streets), various local businesses, service clubs and community organizations are out on the streets until 9 p.m. with family activities, games for all ages, in-store promotions and giveaways, a celebrity dunk tank (including Oxford OPP Inspector Tim Clark, and Councillors Mel Getty and Marty Klein, and Deputy Mayor Mark Renaud. Also look for the inflatable bouncers, trackless train, outdoor licenced patios, demonstrations, food, art, turtles and more...
Also, swing by Lake Lisgar tonight to see a sail boat display, which will be lit up.
Saturday will see a full slate of Turtlefest activities and entertainment at Memorial Park (and fairgrounds), Annandale National Historic Site and The Station Arts Centre beginning with crew from the Snowbirds on-stage at Memorial Park for a question-and-answer with the public.
Later Saturday, the Snowbirds and CF-18, which have been seen -- and HEARD -- around town this week, will be performing at the Tillsonburg Regional Airport at 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For more information on the airshows visit www.ontariosouthcoastairshow.com.
For a detailed schedule of Turtlefest events go to www.turtlefest.ca.