On Stage
Cambree Lovesy
10:15 to 11 a.m.
Welcome
Nicki Mier
11:15 to 11:30 a.m.
Korki the Clown
11:30 a.m. to noon
Opening ceremonies
12:15 to 12:30 p.m.
Her Brothers
12:30 to 1 p.m.
Kristal Barrett
1:15 to 1:45 p.m.
Urban Safari
2 to 2:45 p.m.
Zox of the Forest
3 to 3:30 p.m.
Guy and a Girl
3:30 to 4 p.m.
Closing ceremonies
Talent is one of the biggest draws at this year’s Walnut Grove Family Day Festival on Saturday, June 27.
There will be plenty of things to see and do, but music and entertainment on the main stage will be constant throughout the day and perhaps what’s most exciting is just how much of that talent comes from in and around the Langleys.
It’s a blend of kids entertainment, country music, animal exploration, and alternative rock as performers and presenters take turns on the stage from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Langley’s own Gabe Penner will be on stage with his two brothers, Josh and Levi, in their band Her Brothers. The self-taught alternative rock group performs from 12:30 to 1 p.m. and will be looking to connect with the audience.
“It’s great,†Penner said of performing at festivals. “It’s always different. It’s about the message of the music.â€
Having lived in Langley for most of his life, Penner and his brothers have been performing together for almost a decade, which is considerable given that the youngest, Levi, is just 15.
“We’ve been performing as Her Brothers for three years,†he said.
It’s the band’s first time performing at this event and they will bring a diverse mix of music to the afternoon.
“We play a lot of our own stuff,†noted Penner. “But we also mix covers into our sets to build that trust and connection with the audience. It’s about connecting.â€
The brothers chose their band’s name from the desire to help women who don’t have a voice or can’t speak up for themselves.
Sharing the stage throughout the day will be Surrey’s Korki the Clown, Abbotsford’s Kristal Barrett, Cloverdale’s Urban Safari Rescue and their Cinemazoo program, Zox of the Forest, Abbotsford’s Cambree Lovesy, Abbotsford’s 16-year-old Nicki Mier, and Langley performing duo Guy and a Girl.
For those not wanting to keep track of all the stage happenings, Fraser Valley 5 hosts Michael Thorne and Kristyl Clark will keep everyone informed throughout the day as emcees.
Responsible for entertainment, Karen Reynolds, is part of the family day event’s committee.
“We’ve got the whole park booked,†she said. “Even the [baseball] diamonds might have activity on them.â€
As the fourth annual event, organizers have listened to feedback from the community in putting the large event together.
“There’s so many details,†Reynolds said. “We’ve been planning for months.â€
New to this year is the involvement of Independent Grocer which is providing food for the concession.
“We wanted proceeds [from food sales] to go to the cause, so Independent Grocer has donated all the food,†noted Reynolds.
She added that families had been concerned wtih the high prices of outside vendors in the past and the arangement with Independent Grocer provided the ideal alternative.
Around the park there will be plenty to see and do, Reynolds said.
“There’s more field entertainment... more variety.â€
The Scouts will be on hand with their race cars, while there will also be a petting zoo, pony rides, a climbing wall, arts and crafts for kids, and the firehouse.
“Soccer Shots is going to be there,†commented Reynolds. “They do demonstrations and stuff and the Black Belt Academy will be doing the same thing.â€
Adding to the festival atmosphere will be approximately 35 businesses and organizations with tables set up to share what they do with the community.
“Each of them will have something, probably, for kids,†Reynolds said.
Benefitting from the festival is the Langley School District Foundation which will use the funds to help children in need in the Walnut Grove area through its various programs.