Festival ready to run
Johnny Miles Festival starts Wednesday in Sydney Mines
The annual Johnny Miles Festival begins in Sydney Mines Wednesday with the Barra MacNeils 30th anniversary concert 7 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Queen Street, Sydney Mines.
A second concert will take place at St. Andrew’s Thursday. Both concerts begin at 7 p.m.
“The Johnny Miles Festival Community Society is pleased to help with the promotion of this concert by our own Barra MacNeils,” said festival coordinator Kim Rideout. “It’s an excellent way to kick things off for what we hope will be a fun-filled celebration for all ages.”
A highlight of the summer for local residents and visitors alike, this year’s festival features events through to Sunday, Aug. 7.
This year there is a focus on youth with a host of events including the Johnny Miles kids track and field event, a princess tea and kids fest.
New this year is the Great Benjamin Circus, a three generation circus family originating from Mexico and the United States featuring clowns, juggling, acrobats, daredevils, and much more. It will take place Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Pitt Street Sports Complex.
Always a crowd pleaser, the parade takes place Thursday beginning at 6:30 with the lineup on Shore Road followed by the official opening and cake cutting at Holy Family parish hall.
Kids fest this year will include bounce tents, games, Serpentine Reptile Zoo, Chantel and Rockey the Pug and much more.
Friday will also feature children’s sports day and karaoke for kids.
The festival has been built around the Johnny Miles Memorial 5K road race, which attracts runners from across the province and beyond.
Registration is 9 a.m. at the John J. Nugent firemen’s Centre on Elliot Street. Race time is 10 a.m.
The 12th annual car and bike show and the Sydney Mines Seniors and Pensioners dance will close out events on Saturday.
Sunday, Aug. 7 will feature a senior’s luncheon at the Sydney Mines Seniors and Pensioners Hall, a closing concert on Pitt Street featuring Brandon Collier and a main stage performance by Bandit, followed by fireworks.
“The society couldn’t run the festival without the support of our summer students, our many volunteers and the community,” said Rideout.
Visit the Johnny Miles Facebook page for schedule updates or call 902-574-3773 for more information on the festival.