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Diverse lineup planned for Friendship Festival
Theory of a Dead Man, The Spoons, Teenage Head and Helix on bill
Posted By BY ALISON LANGLEY REVIEW STAFF WRITER
Theory of a Dead Man will take centre stage later this month at the annual Fort Erie Friendship Festival.
News that the Vancouver-based trio will be performing has caused “quite a bit excitement,” said Lyn Royce, resource development officer with Fort Erie Festivals.
Singer Tyler Connolly, guitarist Dave Brenner and bassist Dean Back released their self-titled debut album in 2002.
The Juno winners recently released their third album “Scars and Souvenirs.”
Live music has long been a popular draw at the annual festival which runs from June 27 to July 1.
Teenage Head with Nash The Slash, The Spoons and Helix will entertain the crowds June 28.
Theory of a Dead Man, with Shiloh and The Joys, will perform June 30.
The 22nd annual festival be held near Mather Arch, spread out over five acres of Niagara Parks Commission waterfront land.
In addition to the concerts, there’ll be crafts, a marketplace, food booths, a midway and four days of family-oriented activities.
New this year will be the Legacy of Peace Days (June 28 to 30) which will focus on heritage activities and educational information.
The event will spotlight Niagara’s heritage with events to mark the Bicentennial of the War of 1812.
“We wanted to amplify our historical roots through the heritage riches present in our own backyard,” Royce said.
To coincide with the festival, St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Fort Erie will host Canadian Multicultural Day on June 27.
A multi-faith reflection and worship Service will begin at 9:30 a. m. followed by a “Taste of Culture” pot luck community lunch at 11:30 a. m.
A Canadian citizenship ceremony will follow at 2 p. m.
The festival wraps up the evening of July 1 with a colourful fireworks display.
Following the Canada Day festivities, the revelry will cross the Peace Bridge to Buffalo for the annual Fourth At Riverside Friendship Festival, July 2 to 6.
The binational festival, which celebrates the rapport between Canada and the U. S., is one of only a few festivals in the world that begins in one country and ends in another.
About 50,000 people attended the Fort Erie festival in 2007 and approximately 60,000 people are expected this year.
Despite the crowds, police say there have never been any big problems at the event.
“It’s a joint venture between the Niagara Regional Police, Niagara Parks Police and the Town of Fort Erie, and it has always been a smashing success,” said NRP Sgt. Mark Lightfoot.
Festivals and Events Ontario recently named the Niagara festival as one of the “Top 100″ Ontario festivals. Information on the local festival is available at www.friendshipfestival.com.
Article ID# 1074836
© 2008 , Osprey Media. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Niagara Falls Review articles reprinted with permission by the authority of Joe Wallace, City Editor of the Niagara Falls Review.
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