Annual fundraiser features Under the Big Top Festival
By Janet Kanters Times Editor
The Wheatland Crisis Society is hosting a full day of entertainment on June 15 to support the society’s efforts and goals.
The Under the Big Top Festival is being held at the Strathmore Civic Centre on Saturday, June 15, featuring a pop-up market inside the Civic Centre from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A wide variety of makers, artisans, designers, artists and small business owners will feature their creations and wares. The market will include a Kids Zone with a bouncy house, crafts, games and circus themed entertainment.
Market admission is just $5, children 10 and under are free. All entry fees will be donated to the Wheatland Crisis Society.
Outside in the parking lot, between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. will be a selection of food trucks to suit the taste buds of those young and old. Circus-themed favourites such as corn dogs, hamburgers, mini donuts and ice cream will be on hand for all of those to enjoy.
Following the market, the Strathmore Civic Centre will be transformed into an evening of adult-themed entertainment including hoop, lira and pole artists, as well as roaming circus-themed performers and live music featuring The Contraband. According to a news release from the society, this party band can pound out some classic rock and blues, and keep the crowd hopping with high-energy pop favourites. “This crowd-pleasing cover band provides powerful vocals, has a driving force of great guitarists and a hot rhythm section that pounds your heart,” the release stated.
The doors open for the evening cabaret at 7 p.m., and the show will start at 8 p.m. Early bird tickets will be on sale soon for $70 through Eventbrite. Tickets for the cabaret at the door will be $80.
The Wheatland Crisis Society (WCS) is committed to a vision of a safe and secure community without abuse. They welcome all individuals experiencing abuse to access their services and programs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. As a result of their progressive, innovative and inclusive practices they were nominated for, and won an Alberta Human Services Inspiration Award in the area of family violence prevention.
WCS has been helping families for over 25 years and the most recent data shows that 280 people were supported through the residential shelter program last year. In the 2017-18 reporting period it was also shown that 157 adults and 124 children had to be provided with other resources because there was not enough space for them in the shelter.
“Community support for programs and events has always been, and continues to be, an essential component in accomplishing the vison, mission and goals of the Wheatland Crisis Society,” stated the news release.