A taste of something new and something old highlights the 48th annual Silver City Days, which begin today in Trail.
More food vendors on the midway and the return of the popular Sidewalk Café are sure to whet the appetite of fairgoers.
“As long as I’ve been around, the Sidewalk Café has been the highlight of the event,” said Tom Gawryletz, president of the Trail Smoke Eaters, which is hosting the event.
Gawryletz said it was a great opportunity to bring a festival favorite back to life.
“We’re not just a hockey club, we’re a part of the community.”
The café, inside the Cominco Arena on Saturday, will feature a big spaghetti feast as well as pizza and Italian sausages backed by a day-long lineup of entertainment.
The curtain officially rises on Silver City Days tonight when Margaret Taylor is honoured with the Trail-Warfield Citizen of the Year Award.
Taylor’s endless dedication for improving the surrounding communities and flare for creativity will be recognized in a ceremony at 7 p.m. at St. Michael’s School.
On Wednesday, the midway goes into action between 3 to 11 p.m. as well as the food vendors and several shopping booths
There will be a wide variety of foods to choose from this year including tacos, turkey burgers, wings and Greek food.
“People will have a few more selections this year,” said Ian McLeod, president of the Trail Festival Society. “And we’re getting a few more lined up for next year’s 50th anniversary.”
Thursday the celebrations will truly commence. Along with the fun and food on the midway, a dance for senior citizens will be held between 3:30 and 8 p.m. at the Cominco Gym. An engaging performance from local legends North of 60 sets the mood for locals to enjoy a cold beer, glass of wine or an assortment of snacks.
Friday, fair fun continues with the bocce tournament at the Trail Curling Rink beginning at noon.
The night will be elegantly capped off by the Trail Ambassador Candidate Debut at the Charles Bailey Theatre.
Saturday’s jammed-packed day begins with the Trail Firefighter’s Silver City Day Parade at 11 a.m. The parade route remains the same as in years gone by – beginning by the old bridge, crossing the Victoria St. Bridge and finishing near the aquatic centre.
Right at the conclusion of the parade, the Sidewalk Café starts dishing out its tasty treats.
Along with food, the arena will resonate with the sounds of musical entertainment from Austin Rafuse, Katie Louglin, Mariah Morris, Eric Bulanoff and Jason Thomas. There will also be three dance performances and many other great groups.
KidSport Com-munity Fest will be hosting a food court with live music and a kid zone by Ferraro Foods from noon to 5 p.m.
Locals who like to shake things up with dancing will be thrilled about the choices this year—there will be two events available including ballroom dancing or a reunion dance.
The SwingSations will be playing music at the KP Hall ballroom dance between 8 p.m. and midnight and North of 60 will appear at the reunion dance following the Sidewalk Café at the Cominco Arena between 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.
No Silver City Days Saturday would be complete without fireworks. Expect the sky to light up around dusk near the boat launch.
The hectic weekend wraps up on Sunday.
Morning people can attend the Silver City Days Fun Run at 9 a.m, at Gyro Park.
If you like to sleep in—turn up around noon for more fun on the midway until 6 p.m.
Swimmers can take advantage of the free drop-in use of the Trail Aquatic Centre between noon and 3 p.m. or listen to the Trail Maple Leaf Band in Gyro Park at noon.
Family Fun Day in Gyro Park caps off the weekend until 5 p.m.