Community dances, a rubber duck race, an open mic, and bicycle decorating are among the activities at Plum Fest this weekend. Plum Coulee’s annual summer festival takes place from August 16th-18th.
The weekend that tends to showcase a large amount of community spirit will dive straight into a music-filled Friday evening.
“Of course we start with our [community] supper. It's hosted by the Sports Committee of Plum Coulee,” says Plum Fest Committee Chair Erica Dyck, who has helped organize the festival for three years now. “Then we have Vince Anderson [& the Ace Band] on the main stage along with Brian Jakobs.”
Following the performances, it will be time for community members to put on a show of their own with Plum Coulee’s street dance on Main Street.
“We have our street dance for the young at heart that want to dance the night away,” says Dyck. “And then we also have line dancing west of the [grain] elevator in the tent.”
Dyck says that the atmosphere of the dancing is unique.
“Seeing everybody out there in the lights . . . on Main Street, it's just fun.”
On Saturday morning, festival goers will refuel after a night of dancing with a waffles and crackles breakfast at 7:30 a.m. sponsored by Crocus Realty, and then there will be a parade at 10 a.m. Dyck says that relative to the size of the community, the parade is quite large.
Saturday also includes a street market with local vendors, food trucks, and inflatables for children. Access Credit Union is sponsoring a bicycle decorating contest on Saturday at the main stage as well. For the contest, children ages 5-10 are invited to arrive with their bikes already decorated. Two winners, fittingly, will receive a new bike. The winners will be announced at the main stage after the parade.
A Plum Fest favourite — in all its yellow and buoyant glory — also takes place on Saturday with the rubber duck race.
“You purchase a ticket, all ducks are numbered, [and then] they [are] dumped in the middle of Plum Coulee Pond . . . by a boat,” says Dyck. “The first duck to make it to shore wins.”
The conditions of the day, whether it is still or windy, tend to keep the race interesting; participants might find themselves more invested in cheering on their rubber duck than expected.
“For rubber ducks, they sure do have a mind of their own,” says Dyck.
On Saturday from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., there will be an open mic on the main stage.
“There are still spaces available, and you get to showcase your talent with [a professional sound person],” says Dyck. To sign up for an open mic slot, click here to message Plum Fest organizers.
Saturday evening’s line-up of entertainment is jam packed. On the main stage beginning at 7 p.m., Matt Falk, JD Lepage, and Link & Moustaches will perform.
Crowds will also hear the musical stylings of The Dueling Pianos and the Seven Pines on Saturday, and The Old Tyme Dance will occur west of the elevator. The night will conclude with a special fireworks display at 10:30 p.m.
Dyck says that Sunday begins with a community church service on the main stage, a lunch hosted by Plum Fest at 11:30 a.m., and then a performance by Barbara Joy, a contemporary Christian artist.
For Dyck, the festival could not have such an exciting line-up of events without generous support from the community, especially Valley Fiber and Sunvalley Tire, the festival’s biggest sponsors.
“Thank you to all our sponsors, because without them, it wouldn't be a free family fun event for Plum Coulee,” she says.
Dyck encourages anyone who is interested in volunteering for next year’s Plum Fest to reach out on the festival’s website.
Whether one prefers dancing, performing, eating festival food, or just cheering on rubber ducks, Plum Fest will show the big spirit of a small town this weekend.
~With files from Connie Bailey and Ty Hildebrand~