Media

Press Release - July 6 2010

A family outing to the Lytton River Festival a must

Lytton, British Columbia (July 6, 2010) - Lytton will once again host the 7th annual Lytton River Festival during the Labour Day Weekend.   The event, which attracts hundreds of locals and visitors, celebrates Lytton’s natural surroundings, vibrant community and First Nations culture.

Family and friends return year after year to participate in free activities throughout the entire weekend.  Most Lytton residents see it as a great opportunity to head to the town centre for a day or two with the family to enjoy the festival atmosphere, music, Farmers’ Market vendors and the River Fest Pow Wow on Sunday.

“It’s been a lot of fun seeing the plans come together for this year’s Festival.  The committee decided that last year’s greater success was due in large part to the addition of the First Nations Artisans display on Sunday”, says Bernie Fandrich, long-time supporter and President of the Festival committee.

“Visitors this year can expect the return of the Artisans along with some mainstays of the festival like some of the community’s favourite local bands, the kids kayaking program and the popular fire-spinners on Saturday night.”

“The decision to have a longer fire-spinning show instead of fireworks similar to last year has been made to avoid any complications should another dry summer occur”, Fandrich adds.

The Festival weekend begins Friday, September 3rd with the Farmers’ Market open from 10 am to 4 pm.  Local produce, plants, food and clothes will be for sale outside on 4th Street.

A free, full-day guided excursion into the Stein Valley on the west side of the Fraser is also planned.  A bus will depart from the Village office at 8:30 am to shuttle any participants to the Stein Valley trailhead.  An interpreter will accompany the hike and relate Aboriginal and natural history along the ancient trail. 

The anticipated return of the group is 4 pm, therefore a lunch, snacks, sufficient amounts of water and a good pair of hiking shoes are strongly recommended.

All other activities this year will occur in and around the town’s main site on 4th Street, between Main and Fraser Streets.  The BC Downriver kayak race at the Frog has been cancelled this year and the kids toy raft race will most likely move from Nicomen Creek to the Lytton Pool behind the Lytton Visitors’ Centre.

By popular demand, comedy improv group Table 23 returns to perform Saturday afternoon along with Mandrake the Magician, a new addition to the Festival.  Local talent will occupy the stage most of Saturday with a talent show organized by Jo Johnson. 

Artwork and river-related films will play inside the Legion and Council Chamber meeting room in the daytime.  On both Friday and Saturday nights there is live music planned on the outdoor stage.  The entertainment has not officially been announced yet.

There is no charge for any of the festival events. Be sure to mark the Lytton River Festival on your Events Calendar and Lytton as the place to be on the Labour Day Weekend.

The festival would not be possible without the ongoing commitment of volunteers and financial contributions from the Canadian Heritage Grant and several private sponsors.

For more information about the Lytton River Festival visit www.Riverfestival.ca.

Contact:
Bernie Fandrich – Festival President, festival@kumsheen.com
Maya Chang – Media Liaison, maya_nadine@yahoo.com