Kevin Laliberte
Editor, Smoky River Express

This past weekend marked the start of what promises to be an overflowing summer with plenty of local events taking place throughout the region. Leading the way is this year’s version of the Falher Honey Festival, which returns to our community and region June 20 to 21. I would like to take this opportunity to extend a personal thank-you on behalf of all residents in the region to honey festival coordinator Anne Lanctot and her dedicated organizing committee for coming up with a family entertainment package in 2008 that promises to be the best ever. It’s an assessment which is relatively easy to make given the sheer magnitude of this year’s honey festival, which is highlighted by a rare concert appearance at Falher Regional Recreation Centre on Saturday night by Canadian country singers Gord Bamford and Jessie Farrell. The two singers take centre stage recreation complex on the evening of June 21 with Farrell performing at 8:30 p.m. followed by Bamford, who we managed to get a hold of this week for a feature story in this week’s Express. A limited number of tickets are available for the performance with prices set at $40 per person in advance or $50 at the door. Tickets are available at a number of local locations including the Town of Falher office, Za.hair.a Hair & Tanning Studio, A&M Confectionary and McLennan IDA. Also taking place during the honey festival is a Much Video Youth Dance (with music, videos and dancing) at the recreational complex on June 20 from 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday’s lineup consists of parade beginning at 11 a.m. in addition to the second annual honey barbecued ribs cook-off. There’s also a popular bee beard demonstration, a beer gardens, carnival games for the kids (extreme bungee, gladiator joust, laser tag and a petting zoo) as well as a slow pitch tournament and magic show. There’s also a beekeepers’ pavilion (which will showcase the existing products and services offered by Falher and area honey producers and provide insight into the honey bee industry) in addition to another educational pavilion highlighting the area’s rich francophone history. The Falher and area history book committee, meanwhile, is unveiling its new four-volume history book on June 21 at the Falher Log cabin. A special opening ceremony takes place at 1 p.m. This year’s Smoky River Agricultural Fair, meanwhile, takes place the weekend of Aug. 2 to 3 with an equally impressive lineup in terms of events and attractions. It all kicks off on Friday, Aug. 1 with the popular return of Smoky River Family & Community Support Services Old Time Family Night event at Club des Pionniers in Donnelly beginning at 7:30 p.m. That’s followed the next day by a community parade west of the fairgrounds at 11 a.m., mod bog racing action at the fairgrounds at 12 noon and a provincial gymkhana event, which begins at 10 a.m. Bench show and exhibits will be on display at Georges P. Vanier School on both Aug. 2 and 3 between the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Come show the entire region your talent while getting the chance to win cash prizes. Guy-Donnelly Sportex is the place to be on Saturday night for dancing and socializing as Rocky Talk performs live on stage. Admission is $10 per person. There’s also a slow pitch tournament throughout the weekend and lumberjack competition at 2 p.m.

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