MOOSE JAW — Prepare to have a “berry good time” and stain your teeth purple as Mortlach’s 16th annual Saskatoon Berry Festival returns with tasty pies and exciting activities for all ages.
The event takes place on Saturday, June 14, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and rain or shine, the festival promises to be a day of excitement and delicious treats for the whole family. “5,000 people with purple teeth can’t be wrong” is the event’s slogan, and it seems to ring true each year.
A pancake breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m. kicks off the day, followed by pie sales in the hall from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., a day-long trade show, a parade at 11 a.m., beer gardens opening at 11 a.m., wagon rides from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and kids’ zone activities from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Furthermore, DETOUR Country will be providing musical entertainment from 12 to 12:45 p.m., 1:30 to 2:15 p.m., and 3 to 3:45 p.m., while musician Kelly Sapergia will be performing old-time music from 1 to 3 p.m., a group of Scottish dancers will be kicking up a storm at 1 p.m., and the popular pie-eating contest commences at 2:30 p.m.
“We’re very excited about (the festival) because it brings in a lot of people to our town and puts us on the map … ,” said Aspen Hall, the festival’s vendor and trade show co-ordinator. “It’s a great day, and it’s such a relief too because of all the months of hard work of organizing, and then it always seems to come together and people show up.
“We’re grateful as well, not just to our own community, but to the surrounding communities and the residents of Moose Jaw,” she continued. “Because, if people don’t come, it’s not going to work.”
The pies are a significant reason why the event — which can attract 5,000 people — is so popular, while many attendees pre-order to avoid missing out, said Hall. Furthermore, organizers ensure the day is suitable for all ages, as parents and grandparents can shop, drink, eat and listen to music while children can jump in the bouncy castles, have their faces painted and participate in other fun activities.
The annual festival is an activity that builds community because organizers encourage Mortlach residents to volunteer to ensure the event is successful, she continued. There are only seven people on the organizing committee, so they appreciate the roughly 40 volunteers who dedicate their time.
“It’s just such a good day; you just get this good feeling,” Hall remarked.
Meanwhile, Hall is looking forward to watching the pie-eating contest and checking out the new kid-focused petting zoo. She pointed out that the event had a reptile garden in the past, so the zoo should bring plenty of smiles to children’s faces. Also, changing activities annually keeps the festival fresh and provides new excitement for attendees.
For more information, visit https://mortlach.ca/festival.
