This year—as FernFest and Fernwood Bites come closer—Fernwood NRG is working with local businesses and neighbours to build a great set of events to celebrate our unique vibrant culture. A big thanks to all of our sponsors; we couldn’t put this on without you. Fernwood NRG invites everybody to enjoy a weekend of festivities on Friday, June 21st to Sunday, June 23rd.
FernFest
Fernwood’s Annual Neighbourhood Celebration
This all-ages music and arts festival and circus extravaganza is sure to please all stripes, please join us! Come out Friday night and all day Saturday.
Saturday morning, you’re going to want a good breakfast for a day packed of revelry. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Join us for the Community Pancake Breakfast, hosted by The Fernwood Inn, on Saturday at 9:00am-10:30am in the Square (by donation).
The Vic High field has been added to our range of celebration transforming into The Field of Dreams. Here is where you will find great activities for all ages including laughter yoga, capoeira, archery, volleyball and our Kid’s Zone. The Kid’s Zone will be rockin’ with a bouncy castle, face-painter, carnival games, button-making station by George Jay School, art projects & Herb Sale with the Fernwood Community Centre daycare and activities hosted by FUN Society. Children: don’t forget to decorate your bikes at 10:00am on the Field of Dreams in preparation for the Kidical Mass Bike Parade at 11:00am. Parents: take turns watching your kids while you partner gets a massage in the ViVi Therapy Massage tent—proceeds donated to Fernwood NRG.
Nearby on Gladstone Avenue between Fernwood Square and the Fernwood Community Centre, local crafters will be set-up for FernFest’s Artisan Market from 10am to 3pm. There will be many treasures to be found here: radical books & zines, artwork, tinctures, locally made jewellery, reclaimed & recycled kitchen ware, handmade hula hoops, crocheted hats, fairly traded handicrafts, pet formal wear, baked goods made with love, tarot card readings… to name a few.
The party is taken to the next level with live music in the Square all weekend. Benji Duke, host of The Friday Night Quiz at The Fort Street Cafe and Fernwoodian, will be MCing FernFest’s stage. He will be introducing the groovy beats so get ready to laugh and bring the dance party because we have got quite the line-up this year! Bands include The New Groovement, The Woodsmen, BoneHoof, as well as beats thrown down by DJ Grandpa Phunk, and Microbongo Sound System. Come down to the Square and enjoy an ice cold brew made by Phillips Brewery and take in tunes by our neighbourhood’s uber talented musical artists. For a full schedule of all of our events and performers see pages 4-5.
FernFest is 18 years old and gets bigger and better every year. That means we’ve got folks from all over town coming to check out what the ‘hood has to offer. Let’s show them what we’re all about! You bring yourself and community spirit and we’ll bring the live music, BBQ, Beer Garden, Field of Dreams, Heritage Walking Tours, Artisan Market, Kid’s Zone, Art Stroll, Pancake Breakfast, Senior’s High Tea, Silent Auction and so much more! Does that sound like an awesome deal? FernFest takes a community. Please join the volunteer crew if you can!
Bring your tie-dye, hula-hoops, instruments, bubbles, groovy gear and open mind because you never know what surprises will unfold in front of you at FernFest!
Fernwood Bites
Local Fare in an Urban Square
Sunday morning the square transforms from neighbourhood celebration to an atmosphere of locally crafted food, drink and jazz. Fernwood Bites is a unique fundraiser for Fernwood NRG that celebrates local taste sensations and raises money for our sustainable food initiatives. Fernwood Bites closes Fernwood’s big weekend in class. We have over 30 local restaurants, craft breweries, wineries and drink providers coming to join us.
Enjoy delicious treats with friends in Fernwood square over some smooth jazz from the Belfry Theater balcony. We are excited to present Fernwood favourites such as The Fernwood Inn, Cornerstone Café, Ca Va Bistro Moderne, Stage Small Plates Wine Bar, Aubergine Specialty Foods, Stir It Up and new to the neighbourhood, Norte. Many more incredible establishments will dazzle you with their gastronomic creativity. This event promises to please.
Proceeds from Fernwood Bites go to The Good Food Box, the Community Centre Kitchen Garden, and the Fernwood Neighbourhood Orchard. Fernwood NRG is committed to the visions that were presented by our neighbours at our last Neighbourhood Visioning Forum. A remarkably common goal was food security. Help us get there by attending this amazing and delicious event.
© Copyright 2013
Leave A Comment