The third edition of the Bordertown Festival will be held May 4 to 7 in Sackville New Brunswick. Bordertown is a sample of Sackville’s many festivals, art galleries, local businesses, and restaurants. The Festival claims to be, “about crossing the lines that categorize our community, working together, and celebrating all that this small town has to offer”.
This year’s edition features events in music, fine arts, theatre and literature and also has many activities for children and families. It includes a mix of some of Sackville’s most popular local performers with performers with a regional and national profile. “We’re very excited about the diversity of this year’s festival”, said director Ron Kelly Spurles. “We’ve got something for just about everyone, and we’re really looking forward to the opportunity to show off our great little Town to visitors.”
This year’s festival features legendary PEI musician Lennie Gallant, as well as Moncton’s The Backyard Devils, the Sackville Citizen’s Band, and Kristy Money performing Sweden’s secret, the Nyckelharpa. The Shakedown Combo, Three Bob Night, and Kennie James and Marc Green will also be performing, and the Festival opens on May 4 with Country Music at the Sackville Legion.
Fine Art events include a Memoir Writing workshop with Ken Bolton, an opening reception at Fog Forest Gallery, Pocket Book activities at Owens Art Gallery, and a Graphic Novel Workshop with Patrick Allaby.
There are also many events for children and families, including: Acting Up! acting workshop for youths and adults; Drum! hand drumming workshop for youth and adults; Cattail Ridge Market spring event celebrating Canada 150; the Sackville Farmers Market, featuring performances by Frantically Atlantic and the Sackville Citizen’s Band; a graphic novel workshop for children; the debut of the Sackville Art Hive; and as noted above a workshop at Owens Art Gallery.
Special events occurring on the weekend include the Sackville Quilt Guild Biannual Show and Tea, and the Rotary Club of Sackville Spring Bash with Wine, Beer, and Spirits Tasting and Dance. The Festival concludes with a presentation by Live Bait Theatre of a Salon Reading of the play “Alden”, about New Brunswick poet Alden Nowlan, by Rick Merrill.
For more information about Bordertown, and complete schedule of events, visit www.sackville.com/bordertown or phone 364-4938.