Seafest is almost here, with the 36th annual celebration including everyone's favourite activities along with some new, exciting events for people of all ages.
The fresh activities kick off on Friday with Children's Day in the Park, hosted by Success by Six. This is the second year the group has organized the event, and its first year being part of Seafest. The free event will take place between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., consisting of a variety of activities aimed at kids from birth to age six, like a craft tent, games, face painting, and a photo booth, as well as musical entertainment by The Kerplunks and Barefoot Caravan.
On Friday between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., Prince Rupert longboarders will take to the streets for the first-ever longboard races, a free activity hosted by Loaded Sports.
"The track is going to go from the courthouse driveway down to Cow Bay in front of Atlin Terminal," said Joy Sundin of the Prince Rupert Special Events Society, adding the races will be in heats of two.
To take part, riders must be wearing protective gear, with a number of prizes being handed out to participants.
On the same day and time, the 1st Annual North Coast Artisan Showcase will take place at the Lester Centre of the Arts. The art show is a fundraiser for Parents for Positive Change, with North Coast artists sharing their inspired creations that include regalia, clothing, jewellery, drums, weaving and more. Admission will be by donation.
Throughout the 36th annual Seafest celebration, the Royal Canadian Navy will put on diving displays and tours of one of its diving tenders at the Atlin Terminal pier. Displays and tours will be happening from noon to 4:30 p.m. on Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.
After being absent at last year's Seafest, the Burnout Contest will return by popular demand. The event, put on by the Prince Rupert Auto Club, will take place at 4 p.m. following the Show and Shine. Auto club vice-president Ed Evans promises "lots of smoke, rubber and engine noise".
"People love it," Evans said.
In celebration of the 100th anniversary of train transportation in Northwest B.C., the Prince George Railway and Forestry Museum and CN Rail is offering mini-train rides on the Cottonwood Express all day Saturday and Sunday in the upper parking lot of the Rupert Square Mall.
"It's a ride-on train on 400 feet of track with a 7.5 gauge mini-train. All aboard!" said Sundin, adding it will cost $2 per person.
Then, on Sunday, the Prince Rupert Harley Riders are putting on a motorcycle bike rodeo in front of the Belmont Pub from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. that will include five events to show skill in riding and a variety of prizes being given away.
In addition to new events, there are countless activities returning for Seafest 2014. This includes the Quick and Daring race, which Sundin said is in need of more teams. The Quick and Daring sees teams of two build a boat out of provided-materials on Seafest Saturday to race the following day. Anyone interested in testing their building-skills and luck is encouraged to sign up for the event at Tyee Building Supplies.