The countdown is on to Seafest 2013.
In five weeks, Prince Rupert's annual community bash will be "Celebrating a Community of Volunteers" for the 35th year of the event, kicking off on June 6 and wrapping up June 9.
"We wanted to give everybody an opportunity to put the focus on their volunteers. We wouldn't have the quality of life we have in Prince Rupert if we didn't have all these volunteers," Joy Sundin of the Prince Rupert Special Events Society said.
While many old favourites are expected to return, as well as some new Seafest events, Sundin said the society is always looking for additional events to be sponsored by Prince Rupert groups and businesses.
Some confirmed events to take place this year include the three-on-three basketball and four-on-four hockey tournaments, the Children's Bullhead Fishing Derby, the Quick and Daring building contest and race, the Swim for Survival, a taekwondo demonstration, the window decorating contest, the seniors tea, kayaking for kids, a pancake breakfast, soap box derby, Game of SKATE, crib tournament, the Show and Shine, the Fastest Spaghetti Eating Contest, a craft fair, a dunk tank, a touch tank full of interesting sea creatures and a bouncy castle.
It will all kick-off on Thursday evening with a Block Party downtown, with lots of games, activities, and food for families, and will end on Sunday with the Sunset Memorial Service at Mariner's Park, a memorial service for individuals who have died at sea.
As usual, Seafest will be full of musical performances including bandstand performances on Saturday and Sunday, a contemporary Christian worship music event and Metal Shop 2013 on Friday and Saturday, with organizers currently working on Music at Mariner's.
There will also be a number of guests travelling in for Seafest, including the Canadian Forces, putting on tours on their vessels, Mr. PG and Travel Northern B.C. from Prince George, and Sand Northrup, known as the One Woman Circus, a professional clown.
Additionally, Sundin said there will be plenty of vendors consisting of returning favourites and new vendors.
The Special Events Society are calling out for more parade entries, with entry forms being available at the Special Event's office and online at www.prspecialevents.com, as well as Sailpast participants.
"We would really like to get some more vessels to come and display themselves in the Sailpast. We have the Flypast and Sailpast at the same time, so it would be awesome for more people with their boats, whether they're sail boats, big canoes or anything. We are a seaside community, let's have a good look at our boats out there," Sundin said.
Since it's creation in 1978, Seafest has been organized by volunteers each year, and they are always looking for more people to help with various tasks involved in putting on the event. Anyone interested in helping out with Seafest is asked to contact the Special Events Society at 250-624-9118.