Chestermere Lake and John Peake Park will be filled with activities July 27, when the annual Water Festival returns.
A local tradition for more than 15 years, the day-long event includes myriad attractions for attendees of all ages, including a competitive wakeboard competition, a fun zone for kids, beer garden, boat tours of the lake and more.
“It’s a great community festival,” City of Chestermere Event Organizer Nancy Huneault said. “We get a lot of people coming in from different areas to enjoy and experience our community on the lake.”
The day of fun kicks off at 11 a.m., when Water Ski Wakeboard Alberta hosts its provincial wakeboard championships on the north side of the lake.
Starting at noon, Dockside Bar and Grill will offer interactive boat tours of Chestermere Lake, launching from 109 E Chestermere Dr., with the final tour departing at 3 p.m. The tours cost $10 and proceeds will support the Chestermere Food Bank, according to Huneault.
“It’s an opportunity for people who don’t get out onto the lake to get out onto the lake,” she said.
Younger attendees can keep busy throughout the day at either the EPCOR Fun Zone or the City of Chestermere Recreation Department’s Mobile Adventure Park. The fun zone features a foam pit, obstacle course and a bouncy castle, as well as a face-painting station and a mini-golf course.
If kids want to exercise their creative thinking skills, the Mobile Adventure Park offers a customizable array of items to play with, take apart, climb on and explore.
Activities geared to adults include a beer garden, artisanal market vendors and food trucks at John Peake Park from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.
“The Chestermere Library is also holding its annual book sale,” Huneault said, “and I believe the [Chestermere Historical Foundation] will be bringing out their antique fire truck, which they’ll be displaying at the library.”
No festival would be complete without live music, and Water Festival will offer plenty. Entertainment will be hosted at John Peake Park from 1:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., featuring Edmonton-based country group Dirt Road Angels as the headlining act.
“We [also] have the Rocky Mountain Maniacs coming this year, a fan-favourite would be Blues Wak and we also have Three Finger Shot – they’re an Irish band and very energetic,” Huneault said.
“We also have a local [pop] band – Taken By Sanity – that will be showcasing.”
Once the sun has gone down and the last note of music has been played, the festivities will conclude with a fireworks showcase on the north side of the lake.
Attendees can view the fireworks on-land from the pavilion stage, beer garden or along any part of the park, Huneault said, but boaters must stay on the south side of the lake, as a safety precaution.
For those who have never attended Water Festival, Huneault said, there are many reasons to come check it out.
“It’s a great opportunity to enjoy some great music, watch some competitive water sports and take in the atmosphere of the festival,” she said.
Sponsors for the event include EPCOR, Arrkan Trailers and CIBC Wood Gundy Hobson Chahal Advisory Group.
