AveFest is back for more community fun on the Canada Day long weekend, where festival goers will be treated to free food and entertainment such as lawn games, crafts, face painting, a watermelon eating contest and tug of war.

“This is going to be a community event that seeks to engage the community. The idea is that we’re able to bring together different parts of the community into a festival that is designed not just for observers but for participants,” explained Arthur Dyck, festival organizer.

Sunday will close the festival with celebrations at 11 a.m. Community churches are presenting the activities comprised of music and dancing.

Last year’s inaugural event saw approximately 500 attendees.

“We were just thrilled with the response we got,” said Dyck. “We are building a stronger community as we get to know our neighbours, especially the neighbours that we may not come into contact with during our regular day-to-day activities. People came and participated who hadn’t felt like they were part of the community for a long time and they were just so happy to see this event going on.”

One of the most popular stations at last year’s event was the woodpile. Children and their families had the opportunity to grab hammers, nails and pieces of wood to make their own unique structures.

Dyck reminisces about the children building their masterpieces. “I’m sure some of them had never touched a hammer in their lives, but all day you could hear the sound of hammers hitting nails,” he said. “They came up with all these interesting shapes. They were painting them and then bringing them up to the stage to show them. It was really quite amazing.”

Dyck explained everyone is invited to attend the free event. “I’m looking forward to having fun and seeing friends and making new ones,” he added.

Several donors such as community churches, Fusion Canada, and City of Edmonton support the festival. Volunteers are needed to help set up the festival, supervise craft tables and games, barbecue hot dogs and hand out water.

A volunteer orientation will be held on June 22 at 6 p.m. at Alberta Avenue Community League. Anyone wishing to volunteer can pre-register on avefest.com, inquire at info@avefest.com, or attend the volunteer orientation (pre-registration is preferred). Food will be provided.

For more information, visit avefest.com.

Get the details for AveFest!

• When? July 1-2, noon to 3:00 pm AND July 3, 11:00  am
• Where? 118 Avenue & 92 Street (Old Alberta Cycle lot)
• FREE admission

Header Image: A tug of war closes out AveFest 2015. Credit: Arthur Dyck