Photo: Contributed

William Butler - fulfilling a dream

When the Fat Cat Children's Festival Parade rolls through the streets next Saturday, June 8, it will have a new route to follow.

 Starting at 10 am on the corner of Richter Street and Cawston Avenue, the parade will wend its way through the neighborhood of the Cawston Corridor, before continuing up to Water Street to finish at Waterfront Park. 

"We needed to move the parade because of the construction along Bernard Avenue," explained Dorothee Birker, artistic director for the Festival.  "So we decided to embrace the opportunity, get creative, because that's we are all about, and found a lovely way to promote the amazing Cawston Corridor.

"Ironically, Bernard Avenue is open now, but because of our longer planning timelines we needed to commit to the route a month before the Festival," continued Birker.  "We are excited to see how this route works out and would love feedback from the community and the neighborhood.  Hopefully the residents will enjoy having the parade roll right by their houses, but we know there are impacts to neighbors as well because of the road closures and we thank them for their patience and cooperation."

Flyers identifying the road closures and the marshalling areas along Coronation Street have already been distributed to the impacted residents and a follow up flyer will be sent out again at the beginning of the week. Effectively Coronation Street from Richter to Ellis and Richter between Clement and Cawston Avenue  will be closed from 6 am to 1 pm that day and a rolling street closure will take effect between 9:30 and noon to allow the floats to pass along Cawston Avenue and Water Street.  Only commercial trucks will be able to cross Cawston Avenue on Ellis Street with the aid of flaggers. 

A parade map, with road closures identified, is online at the Festival website at http://www.fatcatfestival.ca

For businesses and organizations interested in participating, there is still time - forms and information are available online or by contacting Birker at 250-860-4911.

"Being part of the parade is a great way to show your community spirit and quite honestly, it is so much fun too," says Birker.  "I was so thrilled to receive an email from a mom, Melissa Butler, recently asking if her son could participate in the parade on his bike.  Apparently William saw the parade last year and has been determined to join it ever since. So we get to make his dream come true - he will be at the front of the parade, right in between the Kelowna Pipe Band and Fat Cat."

Other kids are encourage to join William at the head of the parade.  Decorate your bike or yourself, bring your friends and family.  The Interior Savings Fat Cat Children's Festival is interactive fun that's all about having kids actively participate in creating memorable experiences.

The Interior Savings Fat Cat Children's Festival takes place at Waterfront Park includes the School Day Friday, June 7th  and the Parade and Festival Celebration on Saturday June 8th. Everyone is invited to fully participate and take in both days of the Festival. Admission is on $5 per person, or $15 for a Family of 4.  Early Bird Family Passes are now available at any Interior Savings Branch for $10.

To get involved check out the information at the Festival website or follow the Festival updates on social media channels Twitter (@fatcatfestival), Facebook (www.facebook.com/fatcatfestival) and Pinterest (www.pinterest.com/fatcatfestival)

For more information contact:       

Dorothee Birker, Artistic Director    Ph: 250-860-4911 

www.fatcatfestival.ca  [email protected]