Clearwater Canoe Regatta is no more. Welcome to the Clearwater Fall Festival instead.
During its April 7 meeting, Clearwater town council voted to change the name of the popular community event held each September and put the emphasis on activities that can be held at Rotary Sports Park.
The canoe races and other activities that were previously held at Dutch Lake as part of the canoe regatta will instead be held during Canada Day at the lake.
“Let’s have a festival at Rotary Park and move the canoe events to Canada Day when the water is warmer and there are more tourists,” said councillor Barry Banford.
Shelley Sim, who has helped coordinate the Canoe Festival in previous years, will spearhead the new Fall Festival for town council.
Ken Kjenstad will do the same for the enhanced Canada Day event at Dutch Lake.
Council set aside $4,000 for the festival, with more money expected to come from sponsors.
Sim noted that, during the previous six years, council had set the budget for the Canoe Festival but organizers had then used sponsors to expand on what was available.
Putting on the Canoe Festival last year only cost $1,800, because of the support from sponsors, said chief administrative officer Leslie Groulx.
There was some discussion about charging a nominal fee to enter the various activities. This would help organizers keep track of who was entered plus ensure that people sign the necessary waivers, said Kjenstad.
