MONTAGUE, P.E.I. — A group of deserving residents will lead the parade for this year’s Summer Days Festival in Montague.
Clients of Inclusions East, a non-profit group that provides employment and residential services to Kings County individuals with disabilities, will serve as this year’s parade marshals.
The parade, which goes from the Cavendish Farms Wellness Centre and finishes at the Church of Christ, is one of the highlights of the festival, which runs July 11-14.
“I think they definitely deserve it,” said the festival’s co-chairman Wayne Spin on choosing the group as parade marshals. “It’s great for them to be included.”
This year’s parade will go from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday with a theme of “Rockin’ to the Golden Oldies”.
“So we might see Elvis too this year, you never know,” said Spin.
The festival will kick off with a beach volleyball tournament at the curling club Thursday night, as well as the King of Clubs community lottery.
Friday will see Montague’s Got Talent in the Montague Curling Club at 7 p.m.
Prior to the parade, there will be a pancake breakfast put on by Friends of the Garden of the Gulf Museum at the Cavendish Farms Wellness Centre Saturday, 7:30-10 a.m.
Following the parade, there will be a rotary barbecue at the waterfront from noon to 1:15 p.m. The 50 Plus Club will also hold a strawberry social on the waterfront. Locomotion will perform on the waterfront stage from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m., while a magician from Halifax will take the stage, 2-3 p.m.
The Down East Dance Academy will perform from 3-4 p.m., while the final round of Montague’s Got Talent will be held from 4-5 p.m.
This year’s event will also see a small carnival midway with rides set up from Friday evening to Sunday, while Saturday evening will see the Paul and David McGuigan Memorial Poker Tournament at a location yet to be announced.
Another new addition this year will be the presence of the Axes, Eh? mobile axe throwing unit. A celebrity dunk tank will be held at the waterfront Saturday while skiff drag races will be held at the marina at 10 a.m. Sunday.
Like previous years, there will also be plenty of musical talent on the waterfront mainstage.
Spin said festival co-chairman Bobby Gallant organized this year’s music lineup.
“Hats off to Bobby,” said Spin. “He’s been busy for the past couple months putting this together. We want people to come out and enjoy themselves, as they always do.”
On Friday, Frank Whitty and Friends will perform 7-8 p.m., followed by the Nolan Compton Band, 8-9 p.m., and the Daniel Drouin Band, 9-10 p.m.
Saturday will see Kevin Ryan and Stephen Sommers perform 5-6 p.m., the Hal Bruce Band, 6-7 p.m., Muddy Buddy, 7-8 p.m., Christine Campbell, 8-9 p.m. and MacBeth, 9-10:30 p.m.
Sunday will see the DiverseCity Multicultural Festival take over the waterfront area, 1-9 p.m.
The festival will end with fireworks at 10 p.m. that will light up the waterfront.
“Last year’s fireworks were second to none, it was unbelievable,” said Spin.
Those looking to compete in Montague’s Got Talent can contact Spin at 902-313-2000, while those looking to compete in the volleyball tournament can contact Scott Annear at 902-969-4463. Those looking to register in the skiff races must do so before June 30 by contacting Spin.
