Can-Can dancers, Laughing Loggers, tribute bands and enjoying a cold one on a warm summer evening.
Golden Spike Days is back in Port Moody tonight (June 30) for its 46th edition as organizers anticipate thousands to soak in the four-day family-friendly event that recognizes community and heritage.
Festivities are formally scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. today at Rocky Point Park and a full schedule of shows and performances to follow between then and 6 p.m. on Monday (July 3).
This includes 80s rock icons Honeymoon Suite to headline Canada Day on the main stage at 8:30 p.m. Saturday night (July 1).
"Canada Day is a day to reflect on and celebrate our country's diversity and the values that we share," said Port Moody Mayor Meghan Lahti in a statement.
"In Port Moody, the City of the Arts, we value artistic expression in all its forms, including music."
This is Golden Spike Days' second consecutive in-person festival. The COVID-19 pandemic forced organizers to go virtual in 2020 and erect a drive-thru version in 2021 before ultimately returning last year.
In addition to bands and musicians, the friendly contest Tri-Cities Got Talent is set to showcase local residents' abilities like dancing, singing, juggling, miming and other artistic physical acts.
A total of 25 community booths will be set up around the park, as well as 15 food vendors and six beverage stations in offering something for everyone:
Food
- Cravings Kettle Corn
- Dos Amigos
- Fairhaven Catering
- Frankie Street Food
- Indish Foods
- Japadog
- Kona Ice
- Lemon Heaven
- Meet2Eat
- Morgan's Harbour
- New Taste Wraps
- Original Hurricane Potato
- Rolled West Coast
- Taco Nori
- The Candy Curio
Drink
- BRAVE Brewing
- Moody Ales and Co.
- Parkside Brewery
- Rewind Beer Co.
- Twin Sails Brewing
- Yellow Dog Brewing
There will also be a "Family Zone" in Rocky Point Park where the 21-year travelling troupe, the Laughing Loggers, will host its demonstrations, as well as professional gold panner Yukon Dan, children's entertainer Mr. Bubbles and a space for bubble soccer.
Admission into Golden Spike Days is by donation, according to its website, where you can find more information and a daily schedule of events.
All proceeds are set to go towards organizing the festival's 2024 installment.
When inside the gates, food and beverage vendors can accept cash, debit or credit card, and two ATMs will be on site. Outside drinks are prohibited, but patrons can bring empty water bottles to fill up inside.
Organizers encourage interested visitors to consider commuting with friends and family, take transit or bike to Rocky Point Park as parking spaces will be limited.
The Tri-City News is a media sponsor of the 2023 Golden Spike Days Festival.
