The annual Harrison Festival usually brings scores of visitors to pack the village of Harrison Hot Springs for a season of great entertainment, arts and culture. However, in this COVID era, like all Arts events and organizations the Festival has had to adapt to the changing times. Harrison Festival of the Arts organizers have cancelled the main event but created a summer of more intimate events that meet the COVID-19 standards of health and safety.
Saturday July 11th, the first Still Running Concert Series features an intimate backyard concert at a history Agassiz farm with local icons BTU – Barney Bentall, Tom Taylor and Shari Ulrich – bringing back live music to the (not so) masses. With groups limited to a maximum of 50 people, patrons will not be permitted to be within two metres of anyone outside of your household bubble. The artists will perform three identical sets, at 3:00pm 6:30pm and 8:30pm (the two evening show are sold out but a waitlist is available). The audiences will be seated in predesignated spaces, reserved on a first come first serve basis, with appropriate physical distancing and specific to your household bubble.
The Festival’s Children’s Day takes on a new look too, but should still provide plenty for the little ones to enjoy. JUNO nominee, CBC Kids & Universal Kids TV star Will’s Jams performs interactive songs with witty wordplay and catchy choruses. Kids, and their parents, will be cheering, singing and dancing as Will performs outside the Harrison Memorial Hall on Wednesday July 15th. Again there will be three physically distanced, outdoor performances; 11:00am, 12:30pm and 2:00pm. Tickets are going fast so book soon.
Then Saturday July 18th, at 1pm, learn the traditional art of Indigenous Drum Making from Sts’ailes First Nation member Darren Charlie. Under Darren’s guidance, each participant will create their very own drum to take home with them. Pre-registration is required for this event (no walk-ups available), and prices are based on the size of drum kit desired. This event will also be physically distanced and held outside of the Memorial Hall.
Harrison Festival plans to add more intimate, physically distanced events throughout the summer. We will update you as they come, and keep your eyes on their website.