Tickets can still be purchased to take part in the Shuswap Trail Alliance’s (STA) upcoming Trails Day Spring Celebration with the band Shred Kelly.
Being held instead of the STA’s annual fundraising Trails Party, the Saturday, June 1 event will be open to all ages from 4 to 8 p.m. at the South Canoe trailhead.
STA executive director Jen Bellhouse said the June 1 event is not a fundraiser, but an opportunity for folks to gather outdoors and celebrate together.
“We were able to get some corporate donations from some generous folks in town both, in-kind materials and/or cash, which meant we could keep 18 and under free and the tickets at $25 for adults,” said Bellhouse. “We just want it to be accessible because we know it’s been a rough few years for a lot of people, and just an opportunity to celebrate the trails and all the work that goes into them because it’s more than just us. It’s all the municipal partners, it’s the folks that use the trails, the volunteers, so we just wanted to switch it up this year and celebrate with folks.”
A highlight of the event will be the concert by Nelson band Shred Kelly, who in March performed a sold-out show at Song Sparrow Hall.
“They’re fun and they kind of have that outdoorsy feel to them and they’re quite popular,” said Bellhouse of the band, who will be able to power their gear at the Rob Nash Memorial Shelter thanks to a recently installed power supply funded by a donation and supported by the city.
At the April 8 city council meeting, a request by STA operations manager Adrian Bostock to install 220-volt power outlets at the meadow by the South Canoe trailhead parking lot and the shelter received the unanimous support of council.
Bellhouse explained she and Bostock had initially thought the power project would take two years, and had planned to look for grants. But a call from a Tolko employee and avid trail user changed that. The employee informed the STA of an available grant and asked if it had any projects that might be a good fit.
“We were like, ‘how do you feel about power at the South Canoe trailhead,’ and it went from a two-year dream to a six week reality, it was super quick,” said Bellhouse. “Valid Manufacturing had indicated they would lend us their battery packs as their contribution to the event, but we don’t need the battery packs now because we have the permanent power.
“So it’s exciting because I think it opens it for a whole bunch of different events. I know Salty Dog was able to use it when they had their event…
One of the new power sources is at the shelter stage, while the other is at the edge of the trailhead parking lot.
“The thought was for events like ours, we’ll have food trucks and the food trucks will have a power source if need be,” said Bellhouse.
Tickets for the Spring Celebration can be purchased by visiting shuswaptrails.com and clicking on the Eventbrite link. Bellhouse said the show will go on rain or shine. Should the former occur, numerous tents will be set up to help keep the audience dry. Attendees are advised to bring your own chair.
BC Trails Day on June 1 is intended to foster awareness about responsible recreation and environmental stewardship, while promoting access to, and enjoyment of, our province’s outdoor spaces, says the Outdoor Recreation Council of B.C.
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