It is arguably the biggest community event of the year in Prince Rupert and it’s just around the corner.
The festivities kick off on Friday as usual with the Seniors Tea. This event at the Highliner June 7 at 1:30 p.m. features refreshments, door prizes and entertainment by the classic rock band JJ Sway.
New members will also be inducted into the Prince Rupert 75-50 Club. These are members of the community who are at least 75 years old and have lived in the city for a minimum of 50 years.
Everybody loves a parade and Seafest would not be what it is without its annual signature event. Floats by area businesses, municipalities, First Nations, community organizations and more will take to Third Avenue at 11 a.m. to celebrate the 2024 Seafest theme “Keeping it Reel.”
Participants in the parade will stage in the area of 9th Street and proceed east along Third to McBride Street.
Residents and visitors are notified the section of Third Avenue from 9th Street to 7th Street will be closed to vehicular traffic from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. The remainder of Third Avenue, as well as, all the side streets from 7th Street to 1st Street will be off limits from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
An additional road closure will be in effect for Cow Bay Road on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday (June 9) for activities taking place in that area.
All weekend events include the Men’s Soccer Tournament at Charles Hays Secondary hosted by the Prince Rupert Football Club; The Kaien Island Slo-Pitch League’s tournament at the Civic Centre Ball Field; Trail Bingo put on by Kaien Trails; and Eric the Juggler, who will be roaming around town doing multiple shows.
Other sports going on over the weekend include the 4 on 4 “Street” Hockey Challenge at the Civic Centre Arena, which is a fundraiser for Prince Rupert Minor Hockey (Saturday); the Jim Ciccone Memorial 3 on 3 Basketball Challenge (Saturday and Sunday); and the 40th Annual Arm Wrestling challenge featuring four men’s and two women’s divisions.
Also back this year is the ever-popular Quick and Daring Vessel Race. Participants will construct their wacky “boats” on Saturday and race them Sunday at the Prince Rupert Walking Wharf.
That’s not the only race taking place, however, Soap Box races (Saturday) and canoe races are also on the ticket.
Myriad other attractions await including the pancake breakfast and Show and Shine at Safeway, mini golf, bouncy castles, fishing booth, vendor market, city hall bandstand concerts and more. (See the full schedule on Pages 10 -13).
For those wishing to imbibe in adult beverages, Wheelhouse Brewing has you covered with its Charity Beer Garden from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday. The beer gardens continue at the Civic Centre from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. at $30 per ticket featuring one of Northwest B.C.’s most entertaining and popular bands, The Rats, from Kitimat.
