Thursday, July 2, 2015
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Essex Fun Fest Guide I 1
Essex Free Press
Essex Centre BIA
Saturday, July 11, 2015 12 NOON - 4:00 p.m. (Following the Fun Fest Parade) e)
DOWNTOWN ON MAIN STREET!
ALK SIDEW
S
SALE
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On-street YEA THIS ME... • First 100 to register e n te THE rtainment G IN will get dash plaquess CELEBRAATR is being S provided by 50 YFETHE and goodie bags Muff Martin O DIAN of Exclusive • Trophies in multiple CANAAG! Sound. L F categories G BRATIN
PRE-REGISTRATION AND GENERAL INFORMATION Email: carshow@essexbia.com BIA Website: www.essexbia.com
CELE OF 125 YEARSNTRE E C ESSEX
NO ENTRY FEE.
Asking for a donation of 2 (non-perishable) canned goods for the Essex Food Bank.
Drop forms off at: STATIONERY & STUFF or ESSEX PARTY & DISCOUNT 47 Arthur Ave., Essex 24 Talbot St. N., Essex
2 I Essex Fun Fest Guide
Essex Free Press
I Thursday, July 2, 2015
2015 Essex Fun Fest is getting ready to impress by Sylene Argent The Ken Knapp Ford, Countryside Chrysler Dodge, and Dave Hitchcock Chevrolet Essex Fun Fest is fast approaching, and many exciting events and activities are planned to suit the tastes of nearly everyone within the municipality and beyond. Volunteers are in need to ensure this Festival is one to remember. This year’s festival will take place from Friday, June 10 at 4p.m. to Sunday, June 12, wrapping up with the grand firework finally, sponsored by the three local car dealerships. This year’s midway will be hosted by World’s Finest Shows. Fun Fest Committee Chairperson Joe Garon said the midway company will bring in many attractions. There will be a $2 admission charge into the festival, but this fee in addition to the sponsorships helps the committee be able to offer the long list of entertainment planned. Throughout the weekend, a kid zone will be
available. This was a big hit amongst youth last year, and will have an addition of nine holes of golf and better signage this year. Pony rides will be available, for an additional charge. Magical Melody will be onsite at various times on Saturday and Sunday to add to the youth entertainment. It is planned to have the Prince & Princess Youth Talent Contest return this year on the Friday evening for area youth aged four through nine. Competitors are being sought to participate in order to ensure this component is a go. This year’s Saturday parade will commence at 11 a.m. with a “Celebrating 50 Years of the Canadian Flag and 125 Years of Essex Centre” theme. Float participants, onlookers, and local businesses along the parade route are urged to show their pride through wearing red and white. Small Canadian flags, Garon said, will be handed out along the parade route. Residents are urged to stick around the downtown core after
the parade to enjoy the Essex Centre BIA Classic Car Show and area business sidewalk sales. A new feature added this year will be the Fun Fest Watermelon Eating and Spitting Contest on the Saturday, which the Committee is seeking participants for. Libro Credit Union will present the return of the Cra-ZCrew BMX Extreme Stunt Show. New addition, Monsters of Schlock, will perform in the picnic area. This group will put on a couple of performances, in addition to an attempt at a Guinness World Record. More detains about this will be released closer to the date. They already hold the world record for most mousetraps snapped on the tongue in a minute, Garon noted. Sunday’s festivities will commence at 8 a.m. with the interdenominational church service at Sadler’s Pond, followed by Onyx Fitness’s 5km Family Fun Walk/Run at 10:15. Registration begins at 9 a.m., and proceeds will go to Essex Community Services. If raining, the
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event will be moved to the walking track at Essex Centre Sports Complex. Residents are being asked to enter their talented canines and other pets into the Essex Animal Hospital’s Pet Show on Sunday. Pet lovers are also urged to watch and cheer on the local competitors and enjoy a performance from the Border City Barkers and Essex K9 Services in the Molson Coors Bavarian Entertainment Gardens. Musicians will have an opportunity to showcase their talents in the Ultimate Battle of the Bands on the UNIFOR Local 444 main stage on Saturday afternoon. This is targeted for high school and college-aged musicians. Garon noted there is enough space available for up to ten performances, so area garage bands should sign up as soon as possible to ensure this gig is a go. Also on the UNIFOR Local 444 stage on Sunday afternoon, youth will have a chance to showcase their talents in the TD Canada Trust Rise 2 Fame Youth Talent Search. Also on Sunday, in the picnic area, residents will have a chance to learn about feathered friends during the Kingsport Environmental Birds of Prey show, which Garon said is an interactive show. The annual horseshoe tournament will commence at 12:30 p.m. between Essex Diamond #1 and #3. The Festival will also welcome back Classic Championship Wrestling
in the Molson Coors Bavarian Entertainment Gardens at 3 p.m. on Sunday afternoon. Plenty of music entertainment is scheduled for the weekend on the UNIFOR Local 444 main stage including, tribute band Absolute Journey at 8 p.m. on Friday. Big Louie & the Band at 4 p.m., British Beat 66 at 5:45 p.m., and the Rolling Stones tribute show, featuring Hot Rocks at 8 p.m. on Saturday. Paying Cash, a tribute to Johnny Cash, will begin Sunday at 4 p.m., followed by a performance from Buck Twenty (formerly the Mike Ure Band) at 5:45 p.m., and the Legends of Country performance, tributes to Tim McGraw and Shania Twain, at 8p.m. Music entertainment continues in the Molson Coors Bavarian Entertainment Gardens with CIAO Band beginning at 9:30 Friday evening, and Bigg Wiggle beginning at 9:30 on Saturday. Additional fees will apply to enter the Molson Coors Bavarian Entertainment Gardens after 6 p.m. The goal of the Fun Fest Committee is to listen to the community and come up with ways to make it a better event each year. The Committee also hopes to have different attractions than other festivals, he noted. The Fun Fest is always in need of volunteers. Without its volunteers and sponsors, this would not be a go each year, Garon said.
As a way to give back to sponsors and volunteers, an appreciation night, equipped with free rides, will be held on the Thursday evening before the festival as a way to say thanks to those individuals for their contributions. Anyone interested in volunteering, would like to view an official schedule of attractions, or fill out an entry form can do so by logging onto www.essexfunfest.com. Garon urges festivalgoers to use the parking lot at the Essex Centre Sports Complex that faces Gosfield Townline. Check out the website for available shuttle services.
Thursday, July 2, 2015
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Essex Free Press
Country pop and tradition hit the stage Sunday On Sunday, July 12, tribute band, Paying Cash will provide the original and unique sounds of Johnny Cash at 4 pm. The four piece band is made up of seasoned professional musicians who will take the audience back in time in a tribute to this great legend. Buck Twenty will entertain with its infectious country pop sound at 5:45 on Sunday, July 12. The trio of Essex County musicians Mike Ure, Aidan Johnson-Bujold, and Brandon Lefrancois embody a sound that is fresh and high energy, but always rooted in a country attitude.
Take an “Absolute Journey” Friday night
Pictured above is Absolute Journey Tribute who will perform live at this years festival.
At the Essex Fun Fest this year, live performing band Absolute Journey Tribute will bring the the essence of Journey to the stage on Friday, July 10, at 8:00 pm.
Hot Rocks rolling in to the Essex Fun Fest Performing on Saturday, July 11, at 8:00 pm at this year’s festival is Canada’s number one Rolling Stones tribute - Toronto-based “Hot Rocks - The Rolling Stones Tribute Show!” Come out and enjoy the music, the costumes, and the show. Lead singer Bob Wotherspoon, North America’s most look-alike Mick Jagger (and he truly “Moves Like Jagger) will perform all of the Rolling Stones’ greatest hits along with the band who look and perform remarkably like their Rolling Stones counterparts in every way – Keith, Ronnie, Charlie and Bill. In the groups ten year career, Hot Rocks have played across Canada and the U.S. and as far away as South America to audiences who say it’s the next best thing to seeing The Rolling Stones!
Performing Journey to the highest level of musicianship with outstanding vocals as sung by Riccardo Curzi. His vocal talents are one of the closest things you will ever hear compared to Steve Perry. The band complements him with amazing backing vocals and wows the audience with an exciting and energetic live performance. Absolute Journey
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Journey Tribute, you will feel like you have left an actual Journey concert … and that is the goal to leave a lasting impression on the audience. www.absolute journeytribute.com.
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n u F Have at the 2015 Fun ! ! t s e F
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4 I Essex Fun Fest Guide Essex Free Press
I Thursday, July 2, 2015
ESSEX FUN FEST 2015 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS FRIDAY, JULY 10th
Downtown Essex Sidewalk Sales all day! 4:00PM - Fairground Gates Open. 4:00PM to MIDNIGHT - World’s Finest Shows Midway. 4:00PM to 7:00PM - Kids Zone. 5:00PM to 1:00AM - Molson Coors
Bavarian Entertainment Gardens Open. 5:45PM - Opening Ceremonies. 6:00PM - Prince & Princess Youth Talent Showcase (PENDING EVENT) Fun Fest Picnic Area Stage. 7:30PM - Belly Dance Essex - Fun Fest Picnic Area Stage. 7:00PM to 9:00PM - Essex Fun Fest Youth Dance - Shaheen Community Room in new arena. Ages 10 thru 14. (Dance is supervised. No re-entry. Parents are responsible for picking up youths after dance). 8:00PM to 9:30PM ABSOLUTE JOURNEY featuring special guest Riccardo Curzi as STEVE PERRY UNIFOR LOCAL 444 Main Stage. 9:30PM to 1:00AM CIAO Band - Molson Coors Bavarian Entertainment Gardens.
SATURDAY, JULY 11th Downtown Essex Sidewalk Sales all day! 11:00AM - Festival Gates Open. 11:00AM - Essex Fun Fest Parade Celebrating 50 Years of the Canadian Flag and 125 Years of Essex Centre. 11:00AM - World’s Finest Shows Midway. NOON to 1:00AM - Molson Coors Bavarian Entertainment Gardens Open. NOON to 4:00PM - Essex B.I.A. Classic Car Show - DOWNTOWN ESSEX. NOON to 4:00PM - Pony Rides (not included in gate admission). NOON to 4:00PM - Essex Fun Fest Flower Show at Essex United Church - Presented by Essex & District Horticultural Society. NOON to 7:00PM - Kids Zone 12:30PM - Ultimate Battle of the Bands - UNIFOR Local 444 Main Stage. 12:30PM - Cathy’s Dance Studio (Cathy’s Perfomance Crew) - Fun Fest Picnic Area Stage. 1:30PM - Kobbler Jay: The Eccentric Juggler - Fun Fest Picnic Area Stage. 2:00PM - Cra-Z-Crew BMX Extreme Stunt Show as seen on Canada’s Got Talent - Presented by Libro Credit Union 2:00PM - Fun Fest Watermelon Eat & Spit Contest (Preliminary Round) Molson Coors Bavarian Entertainment Gardens. 3:00PM - Monsters Of Schlock - Fun Fest Picnic
Area Stage. 4:00PM - Big Louie & the Band (Variety) - UNIFOR Local 444 Main Stage. 4:00PM - Cra-Z-Crew BMX Extreme Stunt Show as seen on Canada’s Got Talent - Presented by Libro Credit Union. 4:00PM - Kobbler Jay: The Eccentric Juggler. 4:00PM - Fun Fest Watermelon Eat & Spit Contest (Preliminary Round) - Molson Coors Bavarian Entertainment Gardens. 5:00PM - Monsters Of Schlock - Fun Fest Picnic Area Stage. 5:00PM - Fun Fest Watermelon Eat & Spit Contest (FINALS) - Molson Coors Bavarian Entertainment Gardens. 5:45PM - British Beat 66 (tribute to British Rock) - UNIFOR Local 444 Main Stage. 6:00PM - Cra-Z-Crew BMX Extreme Stunt Show as seen on Canada’s Got Talent - Presented by Libro Credit Union. 7:00PM - Monsters Of Schlock GUINNESS WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT - Fun Fest Picnic Area Stage. 7:45PM - Presentation of Citizen of the
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53 Arthur Avenue, Essex
Thursday, July 2, 2015
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Essex Free Press
ESSEX FUN FEST 2015 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Year Award - UNIFOR LOCAL 444 Main Stage. 8:00PM to 9:30PM - THE ROLLING STONES SHOW featuring HOT ROCKS! - UNIFOR Local 444 Main Stage. 9:30PM to 1:00AM - Bigg Wiggle - Molson Coors Bavarian Entertainment Gardens.
SUNDAY, JULY 12th 8:00AM - Interdenominational Church Service Sadler’s Pond. 8:30AM to 1:30PM - Essex Fun Fest Breakfast - Essex United Church - Visit Essex United Church website for more information. 10:15AM - Essex Fun Fest 5K Family Fun Walk/Run @ Sadler’s Pond and area (Registration 9-10AM) Presented by ONYX Fitness Solutions (proceeds to the Essex Community Services) * IF RAINING the event will move to the walking track of the Essex Centre Sports Complex. 11:00AM - Festival Gates Open 11:00AM to 10PM - World’s Finest Shows Midway. NOON - 15th Annual Essex Fun Fest Fun For Pet Show presented by Essex Animal The Entire Hospital ... also featuring Essex Family! County K-9 Services and Border City Barkers - Molson Coors Bavarian Entertainment Gardens. NOON to 10:00PM Molson Coors Bavarian Entertainment Gardens Opens NOON to 3:00PM - St. Paul’s Anglican Church proudly presents the 1st annual LEGACY OF HEROES
CELEBRATION. Join us as we recognize the first responders on the scene of the Essex Explosion and Essex Town Council (1980). Event is free. St. Paul’s Anglican Church, 92 St. Paul St., Essex. For more information call (519) 776-7711. NOON to 4:00PM - Pony Rides (not included in gate admission). NOON to 7:00PM - Kids Zone. 12:30PM - Horseshoe Tournament - under the ‘Big Tree’ between Essex Diamond #1 and Essex Diamond #3 - Registration 11:30AM. For more information call Kinger at the Essex Legion (519) 776-8247. 12:30PM - Kingsport Environmental presents Birds Of Prey; an Interactive bird show for all ages - Fun Fest Picnic Area Stage. 1:00PM - Rise 2 Fame Youth Talent Search Presented by TD Canada Trust - UNIFOR Local 444 Main Stage. 2:00PM - Cra-Z-Crew BMX Extreme Stunt Show as seen on Canada’s Got Talent - Presented by Libro Credit Union 2:00PM - Magical Melody presents Anna & Elsa from the hit movie Frozen - Fun Fest Picnic Area Stage. 3:00PM - Classic Championship Wrestling - Molson Coors Bavarian Entertainment Gardens. 3:30PM - Kingsport Environmental presents Birds Of Prey; an Interactive bird show for all ages - Fun Fest Picnic Area Stage. 4:00PM - Cra-Z-Crew BMX Extreme Stunt Show as seen on Canada’s Got Talent - Presented by Libro Credit Union. 4:00PM - Paying Cash (Tribute to Johnny Cash) UNIFOR Local 444 Main Stage. 5:00PM Magical Melody presents Anna & Elsa from the hit movie Frozen - Fun Fest Picnic Area Stage. 5:45PM - Buck Twenty (formerly the Mike Ure
Band - Country) UNIFOR Local 444 Main Stage. 6:00PM - Cra-Z-Crew BMX ExtremeStunt Show as seen on Canada’s Got Talent - Presented by Libro Credit Union. 6:30PM - Kingsport Environmental presents Birds Of Prey; an Interactive bird show for all ages - Fun Fest Picnic Area Stage. 8:00PM - LEGENDS OF COUNTRY featuring tributes to TIM McGRAW & SHANIA TWAIN - UNIFOR Local 444 Main Stage. 10:10PM - Annual Festival Fireworks Finale Presented by Countryside Chrsyler Dodge Jeep, Ken Knapp Ford and Dave Hitchcock Chevrolet.
See you at the Fun Fest! 390 Maidstone Ave., W., Essex
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Essex Free Press
I Thursday, July 2, 2015
Onyx organizes 5K walk-run for Fun Experience the ultimate tribute to Fest weekend by Jennifer Cranston For the second time, Onyx Fitness will organize a 5K Walk/Run and Family Fun Day at Sadler’s Park during Fun Fest weekend. Last year the event benefited the Essex Area Food Bank. This year, funds raised will go to Essex Community Services. Onyx owners Kim and Ken Dennison plan to host the event annually and will choose a different beneficiary each year. “We meet a lot of people in our community, and get to hear their stories,” Kim said. “We want to help where we can.” Building on the atmosphere of family fun, the event will begin with kids’ activities and fun contests for participants of all ages. The contests will take place during registration from 9 a.m.
to 10 a.m. One of the fun things about the event is people of all ages and physical abilities can participate and have a chance at winning a prize. Each event, even getting your face painted, will earn you a ticket to be entered into the prize draws. “You don’t have to be athletic to participate, have fun, or win,” Kim said. Co-chairing the event this year is Mike Lefaive. With support from Community Living, Lefaive has been helping out at Onyx for about three weeks. He has a keen interest in fitness. He has a gym at his home and with the help of Tammy Westwood, hosts a boot-camp there. In the last two years he has lost 100 lbs. He used to weigh 325 lbs. He started with walking every day, and then he progressed to running. He
Legends of Country
Kim and Ken Dennison of Onyx Fitness Solutions pose with walk-run co-chairperson Mike Lefaive.
also made some dietary changes. He gave up his favourite snack, cookies, and discovered he liked healthier foods like liver. He said he is at Onyx because he wants to learn more about fitness. One of his jobs a cochairperson of the walk/ run event will be talking to potential sponsors. He’ll be hoping to acquire prize items for kids and adults.
There is no minimum pledge amount required and there is no registration fee. Pledge forms are available at Onyx Fitness and on the Fun Fest website. “It’s something that a family can do together that promotes health,” Kim said. “And it teaches kids to give to, and support your community.”
Peter Phillips is considered within the tribute industry as the best Tim McGraw tribute artist in the world. He’s been performing his tribute since 1998, and has entertained people all over North America. Annette Lafond has been paying her tribute to Shania Twain for a number of years perfomring to many sold out shows across North America. On Sunday, July 12, Peter and Annette will perform at this year’s Essex Fun Fest at 8:00 pm bringing you the sounds of Tim McGraw and Shania Twain in a tribute to the Legend of Country.
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Essex Free Press
Ride-All-Day Vouchers now available for Essex Fun Fest
submitted to EFP There’s a new midway and a new ride-all-day deal for the 28th Annual Essex Fun Fest.
Ride-all-day vouchers are now available for advance purchase at select Essex businesses. Each voucher costs just $19.99 (including HST) and offers one-day all-day access to the midway rides of World’s Finest Shows. Both the midway and the ride-all-day deal are new for the Essex Fun Fest. “The Festival Committee is working hard to make sure that this year’s Fun Fest is better than ever,” says committee chair Joe Garon. “There are many more daytime entertainment options, a new midway from World’s Finest Shows, and a new ride-all-day-every-day offer that is affordable, flexible and family friendly.” Vouchers are available now at select Essex businesses but the special advance sale offer closes on Thursday, July 9. After that date, the daily cost of an all-day pass returns to $32. Vouchers can be purchased at the following locations: • Essex Centre Sports Complex (60 Fairview Avenue West, Essex Centre) • Essex Recreation Complex (pool) (242 Talbot Street North, Essex Centre) • Harrow and Colchester South Community Centre (243 McAffee Street, Harrow) • Golden Girls’
Fashions (48 Talbot Street North, Essex Centre) • Just Plus of Essex (43 Talbot Street North, Essex Centre) • Stepping Out (9 Talbot Street North, Essex Centre) Vouchers are redeemable for a ride-all-day bracelet at any of the World’s Finest Shows’ ticket booths during the Fun Fest weekend – July 10 to 12.
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Essex Free Press
I Thursday, July 2, 2015
Get ready for an extreme circus sideshow comedy magic extravaganza! Canadian madmen and carnie duo known around
the world as the brother of bodily abuse The Great
Orbax and Sweet Pepper Klopek combine amazing feats and mind-blowing stunts with cheeky off the cuff slapstick for a show that can only be described as a ‘two man demolition derby’. Watch the duo as they smack, staple, and burn each other with blowtorches... and one liners. Comedy so funny... it hurts! Comedy takes the front seat as these two comedians lampoon sideshow, magic, and the circus arts while
performing some of the most amazing physical stunts ever seen! Catch the Monsters of Schlock performance at the Essex Fun Fest on Saturday, July 11, at 3:00, 5:00, and 7:00 pm. The duo will be making a Guiness World Record Attempt at the 7:00 pm show. Pictured right are Monster of Schlock - Sweet Pepper Klopek and The Great Orbax
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