Redevelopment of downtown Trail has thrown a wrench of sorts into planning for Silver City Days.
For many years midway attractions spilled over into what was an empty lot on the corner of Bay Avenue as well as the city’s Esplanade parking lots behind the Crown Point. With construction of the Riverfront Centre now underway on the corner lot and impending development of the parking lots once the city secures a sale - behind-the-scene volunteers are busy brainstorming where to re-route festival operations this year and in coming years.
“A key factor is the building of the library is pushing us down the street,” says Keith Smyth, volunteer operations manager. “Historically the gravel parking lot was always a place for vehicles, and for the people who had produce to supply to the vendors, but that is no more,” he added.
“So we’ve had to come up with alternate plans for in and out, traffic control and all that,” he said, mentioning events such as 3-on-3 hockey will be moved back to the Cominco parking lot. “This is a major shift and increasing our workload, but the Silver City Days committee is working hard to adapt to the new changes that are happening … we will now be going farther down toward Eldorado Street, the midway will move down as well.”
Smyth said free transportation will again be offered for the Firefighters’ Parade and Sidewalk Cafe on Saturday May 13 - visitors are encouraged to park in East Trail and take the bus across the bridge. The vehicle will also be available for the Sunday circus at Gyro Park, guests are encouraged to park in downtown Trail that day and bus it to the East Trail venue.
“We are juggling to get around stuff,” Smyth emphasized. “Silver City Days is an anchor event for Trail, so we want the community to know the committee is working hard to bring back the success of last year and coming up with new ideas for this year.”
There are plenty of things already cooking for the second year of a “Homecoming Celebration.”
Homegrown and coastal talent, a throwback deli favourite, traditional pasta and grapes, ride, games and the Saturday parade - too many highlights to list before Silver City Days runs from May 10 to May 14.
Smyth is quick to point out one common thread - none of the upcoming festivities would hit the stage or plate without the forging of strong community partnerships.
“The committee is really grateful to the partnerships of all the other groups in town that are coming on board.”
Working together is always a win-win, such as one particular group of teenagers that will put polish to the city while they rack up points toward graduation.
“This is huge,” Smyth said. “J.L. Crowe, their grads, supply people for the variety show (Saturday May 13 in the arena), they supply people for stage hands and they also supply people to clean up the town all of the days.
“It’s great because the Crowe kids need community hours to graduate, and we need the help, so it’s dual purpose and a great partnership.”
Besides the Saturday entertainment, this year’s Sidewalk Cafe will bring back the Grape Stomp, Spaghetti Eating Contest and Kid Zone, a safe play area for children to run, jump and play.
But it’s the throwback menu courtesy of another new partnership that is certain to draw mucho attention - Ferraro’s Throwback Taco Salad will be on the cafe’s menu this year. The taco salad is one of the grocer’s most popular sells, but has been unavailable for some time. Now Danny Ferraro has imparted the recipe to Chef Instructor Geoff Tellier, and his Selkirk students will be cooking up the meal with members from Gateway Christian Life Church serving up the goods.
Smyth added, “We are working through sponsors and groups in town are doing their thing … the Colombo Lodge is doing their Spaghettata and bocce; the new management of the Trail Smoke Eaters is coming on board to take over the refreshment sales and Smokies sausage sales; ATCO is sponsoring Dr. Hooligan’s Carnival of Calamities (May 14) at Gyro Park- these are all examples, of what I call partnerships.”
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