Last year was the first time Bradford West Gwillimbury's Carrot Fest was extended an extra day.
The town agreed to add Friday afternoon to the festival, closing off the main street in Bradford for a local vendors’ market, classic car show by the Back Alley Cruisers car club and friends, a KidZone filled with games and inflatables, and live entertainment.
The Friday experiment was a tremendous success, and will be back again this year on Aug. 17. Holland Street and the Four Corners will be closed to traffic, with the KidZone and vendors’ market open from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
In addition to games and inflatables, the KidZone will be the scene of The Twisted Ones Balloon Show at 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., and balloon twisting from 6-8 p.m. Scarlet Black’s Butterfly Circus Show will be at 5:30 p.m., and a Hula Hoop Workshop, at 7 p.m.
Around the corner on the main stage, Friday entertainment starts at 5 p.m. with Luisa and the Planets, opening ceremonies at 6:30 p.m., and Joy Brigade at 8 p.m.
The Classic Car Show returns to Holland Street East from 6-10 p.m. outside the BWG courthouse – and, once again, Legends tribute artists will provide the classic music of the legends of rock ‘n roll and country.
The main Carrot Fest street festival takes place on Aug. 18, from 9 a.m. to midnight.
The vendors market will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., KidZone from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and main stage entertainment from 9 a.m. to midnight.
Buskers include The Fire Guy, Hoop You, Theatre Arcturus’ Lumberjack Show, Itto Fire Show, the Ostrich Rider, and more - on the busker pitches and on the main stage – with a Flaming Carrot Finale at 7 p.m. at the intersection of Holland and Barrie streets.
PWA Wrestling returns, with the Quest for the Carrot Cup 12, at the Bradford and District Memorial Community Centre at 125 Simcoe Rd. There will be a free show at 11:30 a.m., and paid wrestling at 6 p.m.
Also at the community centre, the Ontario Aqua Dogs dock dogs competition returns from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 18 and 19.
Catch the Jagger Sports BMX stunt show on Aug. 18, with performances at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.; Freestyle Soccer performances at 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.; and the annual Messy Face Ice Cream Contest at 3 Scoops on Barrie Street. Registration begins at 1 p.m., with the contest starting at 3 p.m.
Performances on the main stage include the Neema Children’s Choir, illusionist Lucas Wilson, young dancers with Elite Dance Corps, and live music with Bon Jovi Forever, Cara Lea Band, AC/DC tribute band Who Made Who, and Skip Tracer.
And there will be more – from demonstrations by BWG Fire & Emergency Services, to free carrots from the Holland Marsh Growers Association, a fundraising pancake breakfast and BBQ lunch, and the second Lions Mammoth Early Bird Draw for $1,000.
Come out and help the community get back to its “roots.”
