By MorinvilleNews.com Staff
Morinville – with just a few days to go before the start of what organizers are hoping will be the biggest and best St. Jean Baptiste Festival yet, tickets have just been printed for the latest add-on to the festival’s offerings.
Festival Committee member Tyler Edworthy said that 10,000 tickets have been printed and will be available for $1.00 each, giving festival goers a chance to win $5,000, an amount so large they are calling it “The Largest 50/50 Draw Ever.”
Although what the potential winner will do with their half of the pot remains to be seen; Edworthy was much clearer with what the Festival will be doing with their half.
“We thought it would be a good way to not only fundraise for minor baseball here in town, but [Fire Chief] Ron Cust is sponsoring Sonny Davis, the guy who is wheeling across Canada,” Edworthy said, noting that some of the money will go to the festival itself. “That’s kind of how it was initiated to begin with.”
Edworthy said that although the idea for the 50/50 draw was initiated about six weeks ago, they were only able to get the tickets printed June 18.
“There’s a lot of stuff you have to do to get this operating,” he said, noting that they had to acquire the proper licensing through the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission to hold the draw.
Tickets will be available through Minor Baseball and at a number of businesses around town beginning June 21 and it is anticipated that all 10,000 will be sold.
But the 50/50 raffle isn’t the only new element to this year’s festival. Michael’s Midway will be setting up in the lot behind the Notre Dame Apartments, providing rides for those who like to go fast and go hard. Additionally, a parade is planned for 10 a.m. on Saturday.
St. Jean Baptiste Festival runs June 25 – 27.
Friday, June 26
Children’s / Family Street Dance 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Rotary Rock ‘n’ Ride 8:00 pm
Saturday, June 27
Council Breakfast 8:00 -9:30 am
Parade 10:00 – 11:15 am
Opening Ceremonies 11:15 – 11:30 am
Bob Foster Memorial Beer Gardens 11:30 am – 5:00 pm
Sobeys Children’s Crafts/Games 11:30 am – 2:00 pm
Bumper to Bumper Show & Shine 12:00 – 3:00 pm
Smith’s Music Children’s Stage 12:00 – 5:00 pm
Smith’s Music Adult Stage Entertainment 12:00 – 5:00 pm
Shell Tractor Tours 1:00 – 4:00 pm
St. Jean Baptiste Church tours 1:30 & 2:30 pm
Michael’s Midway 11:30 am – 11:00 pm
RC Parish Center Fair Food 11:30 am – 5:00 pm
Bob Foster Memorial Baseball Tournament 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Morinville Library Farmers Market 11:30 am – 4:00 pm
Military Displays 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Lions/Martin Children’s Tractor Pull 12:00 – 12:30 pm
Fortis Safety Demo 1:00 – 1:15 pm
MFD Fire Within Combat Challenge 1:15 – 3:00 pm
Search & Rescue Dog Demo 3:00 – 4:00 pm
Perras Place Information & Art 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Remax Antique Tractor / Farm Display 11:30 am – 4:30 pm
Morinville & District Ag Petting Zoo 11:30 am – 2:00 pm
Concert en plain air 5:00 – 8:00 pm
Bumpter to Bumper Cabaret 7:00 pm – 1:00 am
Morinville Fire Department Fireworks 11:15 pm
Sunday, June 27
Fidelity Day Church Services 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Community Breakfast 9:30 am – 12:00 pm
(catered by Knights of Columbus)
St. Jean Baptiste Church Tours 1:30 & 2:30 pm