Saturday's SolarFest Schedule Set for Full Day of Fun in Lakefield

By Scott Arnold

Live music, family activities, local shopping and plenty of special events are on tap as SolarFest takes over downtown Lakefield on Saturday.

Taking place from 9:00am to 3:00pm, SolarFest will transform downtown Lakefield into a vibrant pedestrian festival, with Queen Street closed from Bridge Street to Reid Street to make way for shopping, live entertainment, family activities, local food, artisans and community experiences

SolarFest runs from 9am to 3pm on Saturday, August 8th, with Queen Street closed between Bridge Street and Reid Street as downtown Lakefield becomes a hub for shopping, entertainment and family fun.

Live entertainment on the main stage begins with Bob Butcher at 9am, followed by the Ultraviolets at 10:45am, Joe Bulger at 11:45am and Tami J. Wilde & Katie Bath at 1pm. A surprise musical performance is also planned at The Chocolate Rabbit from 11am to 1pm.

The day's activities include the Puppy Parade at 10am on the Canoe & Paddle patio, rugby games and prizes in Cenotaph Park from 11am to 2pm, a hockey puck contest near the main stage from 11am to 1pm and the Fairy Door Contest beginning at noon in Cenotaph Park.

Families can also enjoy pony rides, the Lakefield Fairy Festival and a scavenger hunt throughout SolarFest, along with the Children & Family Village in Cenotaph Park.

Local businesses are joining the celebration with special activities and promotions throughout the day. The Lakefield Pantry will host permanent jewelry from 9am to noon and offer half-price frozen yogurt, while The Nutty Bean Café is serving three SolarFest-inspired drinks, including SolarFest Sunrise, Orange Creamsicle and Coco Cabana, along with a coffee bean guessing contest for a chance to win a gift certificate.

Visitors can also stop by Hendren Funeral Home to see a vintage funeral coach and enter to win a gift basket, browse Happenstance Books & Yarn's Island Sale featuring 50% off select books and yarn, visit Sunshrine Day Spa & Salon's Summer Braid Bar, support Cuddles for Cancer's Buy One, Give One blanket campaign, purchase Catch the Ace lottery tickets from the Lakefield Village Lions and enter ECCO Art Gallery's draw for a Long Weekend cottage getaway.

Organizers are encouraging visitors to explore the entire festival, visit every vendor, support local businesses and, if they're able, bring a non-perishable food donation for the Lakefield Community Food Bank.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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