The town of Gretna hosted its annual Hot Spot Festival this weekend, an opportunity for Gretna and the surrounding community to celebrate together, with a cheeky acknowledgement of Gretna’s reputation for breaking heat records nationwide. However, the weather was just right for the festivities on Friday and Saturday.
Organizer and committee chair Delores Smith feels the festival is special and unique to the community. Involved for 29 years, Smith has seen the festival’s impact on the small town: “We are a small town, therefore we do small town things, but we also do things that larger fairs could never do” shared Smith. “When you come to the grounds, we have some streets blocked off... parents park their lawn chairs and they watch their kids go safely from venue to venue.”
Highlights from the festival included the musical stylings of Ed Wayne & the Outlaws, and Faces For Radio, along with an afternoon full of activities for the whole family, including a foam party. “It is pure joy watching adults and kids running through the foam” shared Smith. “It’s probably my favourite part of the festival.”
Sarah Dyck, a committee member and organizer of the festival’s promotions, finds that the festival has worked to deepen community connections. “Everything here is free” shared Dyck, “It just kind of makes everyone feel equal and just, everyone’s accepted.”
For Dyck’s children Avaline and Elodie, the festival’s highlights were the foam party. “I’m excited for next year, cause I wonder what’s gonna happen... this is really fun. I’m excited for next year.” shared Avaline.
