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Volume 57 No. 28
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Sentinel
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Northern
www.northernsentinel.com
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
1.34 INCLUDES TAX
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Canada Day celebrations a success Sean Glanville The cold and wet weather was a bit of a letdown for Canada’s 145th Birthday celebrations last weekend in Kitimat. However, a little rain didn’t prevent hundreds of people from participating in the wide array of festivities. “Overall I think the weekend was good, the rain and the cold weather put a little damper on it though so there was not as many people as we would have liked, but it still went well,” said Festivals Kitimat Co-ordinator Cheri DeMelo. The weekend events kicked off with Saturday’s Hill Climb drag races, and the fans were treated to a gorgeous day. Later that evening, the Hill Climb Dance saw the River Valley Rats play to a packed house at the Riverlodge Community Room. The Kitimat musicians put on a stellar performance. Murphy’s law was in effect this weekend, as both Saturday and Monday were gorgeous days which book-ended a miserable July 1. The dreary weather arrived on Sunday for the parade and other Canada day festivities. “It was sunny the day before which allowed the hill climb to go and it was sunny a day after, it just didn’t want to come out for us on the actual day,” said DeMelo. Sunday evening’s Stage Show featuring some terrific live entertainment fol-
Emery Taylor, left, and Jaks Johnstone wore their maple leafs proudly aboard the Royal Canadian Mounted Police float during Sunday’s Canada Day parade. Kim Crane photo lowed by a spectacular fireworks display. The one minor change to this years festivities was selling glow in the dark toys to the youth, which was a major hit. “There were no real changes from past years but we did sell glow in the dark
toys like head-boppers and stuff like that. The kids really enjoyed them near the end of the night with the fireworks,” said DeMelo. “We had a good a great band and it was an awesome job with the fireworks.” Next up on the Festivals Kitimat
agenda is Saturday’s Dragon Boat Regatta which kicks off at noon at the Minette Bay Marina. Shuttle buses for the event will be leaving regularly from Christ the King Catholic Church.
River Valley Rats play to a sold out crowd
River Valley Rats lead singer Josh Marsh (left), and guitarist Alex Zoglaur perform at the Riverlodge community room during Saturday’s Hill Climb Dance. Sean Glanville
Sean Glanville The River Valley Rats played to a sold out crowd at the Riverlodge Community room at this past Saturday’s Hill Climb Dance. The band received nothing but rave reviews from their performance, which included a variety of cover songs spanning many different genres including contemporary songs as well as some blasts from the past. “We just try to pick songs that you don’t normally hear cover bands play, but are excited when you do,” says lead vocalist Josh Marsh. “We enjoy playing outside of our comfort zones.” The Kitimat quintet is composed of lead vocalist Josh Marsh, drummer Andrew Murphy, Lee Mosdel on bass, with Dustin Marsh and Alex Zoglaur on guitar.
The band was formed sixth months ago and Saturday night was their first ever live show. “Murph (Andrew Murphy) and Alex previously played in a band together called Coldwater and I’ve always wanted to play with them, so when I heard they were looking for somebody I joined up with them,” says Marsh. “My brother Dustin who plays with me all the time anyways came along as well.” The group jams once a week in the basement of Murphy’s Kitimat home. Although the band is relatively new, their is plenty of musical talent and experience amongst its members. The Marsh brothers also play in a separate band. “Dustin and I play in a band called Alive in Kamloops and we do all original music and no cover songs,” says Marsh. Continued on page 3
Bechtel workers help shelter...page 5