Tag: comeback

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Comm Games LIVE: More gold for Aussies after epic lawn bowls comeback, record-breaking stunner

Comm Games LIVE: More gold for Aussies after epic lawn bowls comeback, record-breaking stunner

Australia will have plenty of chases to add to its gold medal tally early on Saturday night [AEST] as the action gets underway on Day 9 of the Commonwealth Games.

Australia remains on top of the Commonwealth Games medal tally with 50 golds but England is closing in with 47 to set up a thrilling race in the final days.

Here is a full wrap of the key events to come on Saturday night and into the early hours of Sunday morning!

MEDAL TALLY: Aussies JUST in front as Comm Games race comes down to the wire

DAY 8 WRAP: ‘National disgrace’ rocks Comm Games as Hockeyroos survive penalty shootout scare

Australia benefits from BIZZARE rule | 00:29

LAWN BOWLS

Australia could pocket up to 11 more gold medals on Saturday, with Kristina Krstic and Ellen Ryan taking home the first in stunning fashion in the women’s pairs lawn bowls final.

England’s Sophie Tolchard and Amy Pharaoh led at 11-2 at one point but the Aussies refused to go away and won on the final bowl in dramatic fashion.

England skipped out to an early 2-0 lead and threatened to make it 4-0 but a brilliant final bowl from Ellen Ryan knocked two of her rival’s balls out of the way to level it at 2-2.

England responded though with two solid ends to reassert its dominance and kept going from there to take a 11-2 lead but Australia roared back in epic fashion to get it back to 11-10.

Ellen Ryan and Kristina Krstic of Team Australia react during Women's Pairs - Gold Medal Match. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)
Ellen Ryan and Kristina Krstic of Team Australia react during Women’s Pairs – Gold Medal Match. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

The Aussie duo kept up the fight, picking up four points on the 13th end to lead 16-12 before England pegged it back and was up 18-17.

Krstic and Ryan though were on the brink of gold medal glory with two leading balls on the 18th end, only for Pharaoh to knock one out with a brilliant bowl on the final ball.

It meant the game finished a draw and would instead go into overtime to decide who would take home the gold.

England was in the commanding position with a few balls left but a pinpoint bowl from Ryan knocked the jack away and kept Australia in with a chance.

Once again it went down to the last ball, with Australia’s gold medal hopes resting on Ryan’s shoulders.

And she came up clutch with a stunning shot to knock England’s leading ball out of the way, sealing gold in a thrilling comeback.

ATHLETICS

The gold rush has continued on the track, with Jemima Montag taking out the women’s 10,000m walk in a dominant display.

Montag paced herself brilliantly throughout the walk and then picked up the pace in the latter stages of the race to get in a comfortable position.

So comfortable that Montag could start celebrating well before she crossed the finish line for gold with a time of 42:34:00 — a new personal best and Commonwealth Games record.

There is plenty of other action on the track, with Eleanor Patterson, the reigning world champion, looking to defend her crown in the women’s high jump final.

Australia’s Eleanor Patterson will go for gold. (Photo by Ben Stansall / AFP)Source: AFP

She is coming off a brilliant win at the World Championships and became the first to clear 1.89m in a strong opening to the final.

Nicola Olyslagers was initially going to join her but withdrew from the final with a torn calf.

“It could be a few weeks and if I jumped today it was possible to be a nine-month injury,” the

2018 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist told Channel 7.

Elsewhere, Julie Charlton will also be competing in the women’s F55-57 shot put final while there will be four Australians going for gold in the women’s 10km race walk final at 7.30pm.

Later at 8.50pm, Ben Buckingham and Edward Trippas will be going for gold in the men’s 3000m steeplechase final.

The final shot at gold comes in the men’s 1500m final, with Ollie Hoare in action and looking to secure ultimate redemption after a disappointing exit from the world championships.

Hoare was the fastest Australian qualifier after finishing first in heat one with a time of 3:37.57.

Other highlights include the women’s and men’s 4x100m relay heats.

There are lots of high-stakes events too with Alex Hulley (hammer throw), Sarah Carli (400m hurdles), Catriona Bisset (800m) and Ella Connolly (200m) in their own finals.

NETBALL

The ultimate grudge match sees Australia’s Diamonds face England in the netball semi-final. You can read Nat Medhurt’s full preview ahead of the fiery semi-final here, with the game set to begin at 11.30pm.

If Australia is successful, it is Jamaica they will face in the final.

Jamaica’s stunning run continued as they dominated the Silver Ferns to take a 67-51 win and book their spot in the gold medal match for the first time at the Commonwealth Games.

Jamaica were the surprise top qualifiers in their pool after shocking Australia and it looks like

the Diamonds will again need to try find a way to shut down Jhaniele Fowler.

The world’s best shooter dominated in Jamaica’s 57-55 win over Australia in the pool stage, finishing that match with 47 goals from 50 attempts and was even better against New Zealand.

The West Coast Fever star shot a perfect 54 goals from 54 attempts in the win.

Jhaniele Fowler starred in the win. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

TABLE TENNIS

Two Australian pairs (Chunyi Feng & Yangzi Liu and Jian Fang Lay & Minhyung Jee) were both successful in their Round of 16 matches for the women’s doubles table tennis.

They will face Singapore and Nigeria respectively in the quarter-finals at 1am.

Later in the night, Liu will continue her bid to become the first Australian woman to win a Commonwealth Games singles medal when she competes in the semi-final.

There will be guaranteed gold in the morning too, with an All-Australian para table tennis final between Li Na Lei and Qian Yang.

GYMNASTICS

Shortly after at 7pm, 18-year-old Lidiia Iakovleva will be in the rhythmical gymnastics hoop final after finish seventh (107.150) in the all-around final on Friday.

Later there will be more gold medals up for grabs in rhythmical gymnastics too, with Alexandra Kiroi-Bogatyreva scheduled to compete in both the ball and clubs final.

Those events are scheduled for 7.42pm and 8.22pm respectively but won’t be the end of Kiroi-Bogatyreva’s day as she has also qualified for the ribbon final at 9.02pm.

BOXING

There are lots medals up for grabs in the ring, withfive Australians into the semi-finals. First up, Kaye Scott is in action at 8.30pm in the women’s light middleweight boxing semi-final against Alcinda Helena Panguane.

Callum Peters will also put on the gloves for the men’s middleweight semi-final later in the night at 9.15pm, taking on Simnikiwe Bongco.

Edgardo Coumi is in action at 2am against Lewis Williams of England in the men’s heavyweight division while Australian middleweight Caitlin Anne Parker faces Tammara Thibeault.

History will be made on Sunday morning regardless of the result as Tina Rahimi becomes Australia’s first Muslim woman boxer to take home a medal at the Games.

She will fight Elizabeth Oshoba in her featherweight semi-final.

DIVING

Two Australian duos (Maddison Keeney/Anabelle Smith and Brittany O’Brien/Esther Qin) will be competing in the women’s 3m synchronised springboard diving final.

Later on, the women’s synchronised 10m platform final sees Emily Boyd, Nikita Hains, Charli Petrov and Melissa Wu all in action.

CRICKET

There is plenty to look forward to in the early hours of Saturday morning too, with Australia’s women’s T20 cricket side battling New Zealand in a semi-final at 3am.

VOLLEYBALL

A dominant quarter-final performance has Mariafe Artacho del Solar and Taliqua Clancy one step closer to gold.

Their next challenge will be Vanuatu in the women’s beach volleyball semi-final at 6am.

HOCKEY

There will be more semi-final action, with Australia up against longtime rival England in the men’s hockey, with the time for that game to be confirmed.

SQUASH

There is plenty of action on the squash court too, kicking off with Cameron Pilly & Rhys Dowling and Zac Alexander & Ryan Cuskelly in the men’s doubles quarter-finals.

The mixed doubles semi-finals later in the day will feature Donna Lobban and Pilley while Jess Turnbull and Alex Haydon team up in the mixed doubles plate quarter-final.

WRESTLING

There is lots to look forward to in wrestling too, with Naomi De Bruine (women’s 50kg, women’s 53kg and women’s 76kg) in action along with Justin Holland (men’s 57kg) and Tom Barns (men’s 74kg, men’s 97kg).

FULL SCHEDULE — DAY 9

Lawn Bowls and Para Lawn Bowls, 5.30pm

Hockey, 6.00pm

Netball, 6.00pm

Table Tennis and Para Table Tennis, 6.30pm

Athletics and Para Athletics, 7.00pm

Diving, 7.00pm

Rhythmic Gymnastics, 7.00pm

Boxing, 7.30pm

Wrestling, 7.30pm

Badminton, 8.00pm

Cricket T20, 8.00pm

Squash, 9.00pm

Boxing, 11.30pm

Netball, 11.30pm

Follow all the action live below! Can’t see it? Click here!

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Broomfield events, festivities making a comeback post-pandemic

Broomfield events, festivities making a comeback post-pandemic

After more than two years with limited events, interactions and chances to be together with neighbors, Broomfield has slowly been working its way back to pre-pandemic life.

2022 has brought back multiple events that were lost during the COVID-19 pandemic, that challenged the Broomfield community, like many other cities, in figuring out how to keep the sense of community going throughout such a tough time.

“COVID-19 abruptly shut down everything back in March of 2020,” Broomfield Community Events Coordinator Kay Gazaway said. “The annual Student Art Show with 12 schools participating was only three days away when the closures came and canceled the show. It was so disappointing for the students. That’s when we knew we had to get creative and redesign our events in order to safely support the community as best we could during the pandemic.”

File Photo

The Moses Jones Band performs during the inaugural BrewHaHa in 2016, a block party with local breweries, food trucks and live bands.

Some of the biggest Broomfield events were completely redesigned, such as the Easter egg hunt, which was changed to a drive-through affair. Even one of Broomfield’s most popular events, Broomfield Days, was shifted to virtual in 2020, focusing on residents submitting their favorite memories, past parade videos, a dog photo contest and a special T-shirt. It returned more to normalcy last year.

During the 2020-21 holiday season, Santa held Zoom calls with Broomfield children instead of the annual lighting of the tree. Everything was different, but event and planning officials worked tirelessly to keep the community as close knit as it was before the pandemic began.

Kathryn Lynip, director of library services and cultural affairs in Broomfield, said the best part of her job is seeing the community get together and connect with each other, which made the last couple of years difficult.

“The pandemic was super challenging for all of us whose job is to create community,” Lynip said. “I am so proud of how this community came together to meet that challenge. Those early days of helping deliver meals, cloth masks and drive-thru food at FISH were some of the most rewarding activities that I have ever been involved in. The sense of unity and togetherness from all sectors of Broomfield was so heartening in those anxious early days.

“Those were difficult days, but I do feel like that at least for the Library, Arts and History team it actually freed us to think more creatively and cultivate deeper connections and partnerships that we will continue with as we are exiting the pandemic. The pressure cooker of the last couple of years has made us stronger and more resilient.”

Spectators watch the fireworks at the Great American Picnic at the Broomfield County Commons on July 4, 2018.  The event was canceled in 2020, but made a return in 2021. (Paul Aiken / File Photo)

Kristan Pritz, director of Open Space and Trails, had a bit of a different journey through the pandemic. Open space events allowed for more social distancing and safety, but they still had to be reinvented to keep safety in mind.

Trail-focused events that help to get the community together and spend time outdoors, which would normally be held in a festival-style setting, were broken up into trail walk stations where people could safely stop and talk to volunteers about new trails and open spaces in Broomfield.

Many people were looking to the outdoors to stay safe, as well as sane during the pandemic, and open space events and activities continued to provide those opportunities to the community, but Pritz said she is excited to get back to normal events this summer.

“It was a twist that we had to adapt to in a big way,” Pritz said. “We are so happy to get back together with our volunteers and community members for our work, as I think many Broomfield departments and businesses are. We rely on community engagement for a big part of our work, so being able to jump back into that feet first is really good for us.”

All of these Broomfield event and planning officials say they have heard nothing but excitement from the community about upcoming events and chances to get the community back together.

“Most people I talk to feel ready and excited to be back out and engaging with one another socially,” Lynip said. “I do want to continue to be sensitive to those who for varying reasons can’t yet feel comfortable in large gatherings and find ways to offer programs to keep them connected as well.”

Some highly anticipated events coming up this summer include Broomfield Trail Adventure and BrewHaHa in June, the Great American Picnic on July 4, the Summer Concert Series, Summer Saturdays and Summer Sundays, Broomfield Days in September, and the Jingle Bell Market Craft Fair for the holiday season.

“Broomfield has been through a lot these past two years. We all have had to flex and flow with every new challenge,” Gazaway said. “But, most importantly, we’ve pulled together as a community to support and encourage each other and now we can celebrate together with some much deserved fun.”

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As pandemic concerns ease, Berks parades and events are making a comeback

As pandemic concerns ease, Berks parades and events are making a comeback

For as long as he can remember, Mohnton’s Memorial Day parade has been a highlight of Jeffery Shanely’s year.

Shanely — a longtime resident and now the head of Mohnton’s parade committee — said he looks back fondly on childhood days spent celebrating with friends and watching the Gov. Mifflin High School band march.

Since 1960, the Memorial Day parade has been a fixture in the community like no other, Shanely said. Everyone knew it was happening, and everyone showed up.

“It’s kind of a natural part of life in Mohnton,” Shanely said.

Like so many facets of the pre-COVID-19 pandemic past, that part of Mohnton’s life has ceased since 2019.

Other than a small memorial service held by veteran groups at the Mohnsville Cemetery — privately in 2020 and publicly in 2021 — Mohnton’s Memorial Day celebrations have been postponed.

But as the winter weather fades to spring, thirst for a deeper warmth and camaraderie absent since COVID is driving local demand for the return of large-scale community events.

“It’s something that helps everybody get over what we’ve gone through the last two years,” Shanely said.

This year, those missing the marchers, classic cars and tunes from the Reading Buccaneers won’t be disappointed: The Mohnton Memorial Day parade is back in full swing.

And even at 92 years old, local legend Shirley Showalter — who has sung the national anthem every memorial service without fail for the past 30 years — will honor veterans with her voice again at the Mohnsville Cemetery.

Shirley Showalter, 92, has been singing the national anthem at Mohnton’s Memorial Day service for over 30 years, and will sing again this year. (COURTESY OF JEFFREY SHANELY)

Shanely said the amount of parade volunteers this year is double what was seen in previous years. Donations have increased substantially as well, Shanely said, and are flowing in earlier than usual.

“We definitely got good responses and quick responses from sponsors,” Shanely said.

Shillington, too, has seen a groundswell of interest since announcing its Memorial Day parade will be resurrected this year, also for the first time since 2019.

“People are busting at the seams to get out,” said Ed Michalik, head of the Shillington parade committee. “They’ve been calling town hall asking if we’re having it.”

Michalik said enthusiasm levels for the parade are noticeably higher than in previous years.

“I think it’s all part of getting back to normal,” Michalik said. “A lot of the activities we’ve had, even this past summer opening the (Shillington) pool with precautions in place, it’s yet another step for people to come together.”

Michalik and Shanely said this year’s parade will resume operations entirely as they have been in the past. No pandemic-related procedural changes will be made to either event.

Fersommling returns

Another Berks staple, the annual Fersommling, an event steeped in Pennsylvania Dutch culture and cuisine, is set to reunite community members.

Hundreds of attendees are predicted at this year’s event, mostly from Berks, but also from Lancaster and Lebanon counties and the Lehigh Valley, said Joyce Hassler, a member of the Fersommling event board.

“People are very anxious to see it come back,” Hassler said. “And this may be the only time in a year that we get to see some of these people.”

Before COVID, the only other time the Fersommling hadn’t run since starting in 1937 was from 1943 through 1945 during World War II.

And although the halls of the Leesport Farmers Market have been quiet on Fersommling day these past two years, the aroma of scrapple, shoo-fly pie, and fresh cooked ham — Hassler’s favorite — will again fill the space on the Monday after Easter.

Bruce Rohrbach of Kutztown performs with The Happy Dutchmen band during the Berks County Fersommling in 2019. The event returns Monday. (READING EAGLE)

Hassler noted the event, which is attended by many elderly community members, would likely see a decline over previous years’ showings due to lingering COVID concerns.

“Absolutely it (COVID) is a part of it, but I’m not blaming COVID entirely,” Hassler said. “Age is going to take its toll. You may be housebound or physically unable to get there.”

Nonetheless, Hassler said she hopes young Pennsylvania Germans and others interested in the unique culture keep the event alive for years to come.

“It’s just the idea of getting together and hearing the music and just the fellowship,” Hassler said. “Fellowship to Pennsylvania Germans is very important.”

Anniversary delayed

Fellowship is also the goal of renewed events at the Keystone Social Club in Hamburg, said club President Gene Schlegel.

Pandemic concerns forced the club to postpone its 100-year anniversary celebration for two years, but over half of the club’s 400 members attended the gala this month.

“There’s a lot of people that are looking forward to it,” Schlegel said before the event.

Schlegel said the club opened again for bowling last year, but some members hadn’t been in to see their friends since COVID began.

Those members were out in force April 2 to bowl at the club’s lanes, celebrate longstanding members and make new memories.

Members of the Keystone Social Club in Hamburg gathered to celebrate the club’s 100-year anniversary. The event was postponed in 2019. (COURTESY OF SCOTT KREIDER)
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On the comeback trail: Live events take centre stage

Recovery for live events is slower than that of cinemas, as it was the film exhibition industry that first experienced easing of restrictions.

India’s organised events and activations industry, which was estimated to be worth `8,300 crore in 2019 as per the FICCI-EY Media and Entertainment Report 2022, has been among the worst hit by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. In 2021, the industry could manage a 20% y-o-y revival, clocking a revenue of `3,200 crore. The organised live events industry has its hopes pinned on 2022 to make a healthy recovery.

Several event organisers utilised the Holi weekend to conduct on-ground events and gauge spectator interest. Sunburn, for instance, was held across 10 venues, including in Bhopal, Thane, Chennai, Kasol, New Chandigarh, Pune, and Goa. Yet another music, comedy and gaming festival, BACARDÍ NH7 Weekender, was held across 11 cities including Hyderabad, Jaipur, Mumbai, Shillong, Guwahati, and Goa.

According to the FICCI-EY report, the live events segment will recover to pre-Covid levels by the last quarter of CY 2024 or first quarter of CY 2025, growing at a CAGR of over 30% over the next three years. In 2022, the industry is espected to rake in about `4,900 crore in revenue.

Small is better

In late 2020, when live events were attempting a comeback, the initial events were creator-led shows by performers, singers and stand-up comedians. Two years down the line, that trend seems to continue. “With comedy events still leading the race, techno music is a close second, gaining a niche but strong consumer base. Independent music (Indie) bands with both experienced and relatively new artists have been garnering fans across major cities in India,” says Anil Makhija, COO – live entertainment and venues, BookMyShow.

The Maharashtra government announ-ced lifting of all Covid restrictions in the state from April 2, including celebrations of festivals and events. Live event organisers, though, are being cautious and are running scaled down versions at the moment. “For BACARDÍ NH7 Weekender, we opted to go with just 25-30% of our 2019 capacity,” says Sameeksha Uniyal, consumer marketing lead, BACARDÍ, India and South-East Asia.

Since smaller venues like restaurants have fewer restrictions, event organisers are opting for these as they resume live gatherings. “The most recent trend on the block has been that of small-scale and micro gigs across venues like nightclubs, restaurants, lounge bars and malls,” observes Makhija.  

Karan Singh, chief executive officer, Sunburn, informs that the event this year saw a daily footfall of 4,000-5,000. This is a small number as compared to the tens of thousands of revellers who would attend the festival pre-Covid. While people are keen on experiencing events again, the traction is coming mainly from metro cities. Amar Sinha, chief operating officer, Radico Khaitan — partners to the Sunburn Festival — says that these scaled-down events are experiments to check how hygiene and safety protocols need to be implemented and accounted for, before large-scale events take off later in the year.

Not enough takers?

Recovery for live events is slower than that of cinemas, as it was the film exhibition industry that first experienced easing of restrictions. Industry executives say that live events organisers are awaiting further easing of restrictions on capacity and formats.

As a result, brands are taking it slow, too, when it comes to event sponsorships. “With the festival capacity at slightly conservative numbers, the sponsorship levels are minutely different,” says Akshat Rathee, co-founder and managing director, NODWIN Gaming. Organisers are trying to sell a combination of solutions to brands, including online and offline engagements. “We have added a lot of content and influencers as a part of our offerings to brands, which means the value for brands as well as the festival remains similar to previous years,” he says.

Brands and organisers are also trying to work out deals with safety clauses. “Organisers are trying to figure out new contracts that have shared responsibility between artistes, event organisers and venue owners,” says Roshan Abbas, MD, VMLY&R Commerce Encompass. Another challenge is that the hospitality industry has hiked venue rates to make up for the losses from the previous two years, he adds.

Read Also: Milking demand

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The return of the festival: Scots book events make a post-Covid restrictions comeback

The return of the festival: Scots book events make a post-Covid restrictions comeback

Scotland’s book festivals are making a comeback to their ‘old’ live format after being scaled back because of the Covid pandemic last year.

The Borders Book Festival is planning to make its return to its traditional date and venue for the first time in three years.

Organisers hope to go back to the Harmony Garden in Melrose from 16 to 19 June and hope to return to “pre-pandemic bliss”.

Last year the event was held at Abbotsford House in November having effectively been cancelled the previous year.

Wigtown Book Festival will also be making a return in September and is said to be worth more than £4m to the economy.

Research which included high-profile events such as the Bloody Scotland crime writing festival in Stirling, the Edinburgh International Book Festival, Aye Write in Glasgow found that Scotland’s main literary events attracted an overall audience of more than 780,000 when they were last staged in full in 2019.

They were worth more than £11.3 million to the economy.

In 2020 the total audience dropped to 344,000, with 91% being online or digital, as the festivals worked to find new ways to reach audiences, or were forced to cancel.

But festivals are now looking to take advantage of the easing of Covid restrictions.

Alistair Moffat, director of the Borders Book Festival said they hoped to be able to return to “relative pre-pandemic bliss” this summer.

The full programme of more than 100 events will be announced next month but some names have already been confirmed.

Joanna Lumley, Andrew Marr, Julian Clary, Val McDermid and James Naughtie will all be part of proceedings.

HeraldScotland:

A special show with Scottish impressionists Rory Bremner, Ronni Ancona and Lewis MacLeod is also set to be staged.

Mr Moffat said: “We couldn’t be more excited about our return to Harmony Garden this summer.

“Undoubtedly, Abbotsford made a fabulous venue last November, and was especially fitting for the 250th anniversary year of Sir Walter Scott’s birth, but our hearts lie at Harmony Garden.

“To return there more than two years since the pandemic paused life as we knew it is a poignant cause for reflection and celebration.”

As well as dozens of events, the winner of this year’s Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction will also be announced at the festival.

Last year’s winner of the prestigious £25,000 prize prize was Hilary Mantel for The Mirror and the Light.

Contenders on the longlist include Colm Toíbín, Nadifa Mohamed, Sebastian Faulks, Sarah Winman, Andrew Greig and Stacey Halls.

HeraldScotland:

“This year, whilst all relevant Covid-19 measures will still be in place to ensure the safety and peace of mind of festival-goers, we hope to be able to return to relative pre-pandemic bliss, spending long, light days in a beautiful setting, surrounding ourselves with inspiring debates and exchanges of ideas to fuel mind and soul and enjoying the delights, once more, of the Food and Drink Village to fuel (just as importantly) the body,” said Mr Moffat.

And this year, the event aims to proclaim the power of a strong tale as part of the Year of Stories 2022.

The initiative will spotlight, celebrate and promote the wealth of stories inspired by, written, or created in Scotland.

From icons of literature to local tales, Year of Stories encourages locals and visitors to experience a diversity of voices, take part in events and explore the places, people and cultures connected to all forms of our stories, past and present.

In 2019, there were more than 2500 events featuring 2800 authors staged across the country by festivals as far afield as St Andrews, Nairn, Mallaig and the islands of Islay and Skye over the course of 12 months.

More than 450 permanent and part-time jobs were created by Scottish book festivals in 2019.

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Community events are making a comeback in the CSRA

Community events are making a comeback in the CSRA

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – After an up to two-year absence, a range of community events are making a comeback in the CSRA, just in time for spring.

Here’s a look at just a few of the events that are coming up:

Spring markets planned at Fifth Street Marina

AUGUSTA, Ga. – Spring markets at the Fifth Street Marina are planned along the Savannah River from March to May.

Markets are planned from noon to 4 p.m. March 6, 13, 20 and 27, April 24, and May 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29.

Vendors will be present selling their spring items including everything from hair care, jewelry, soaps, children’s toys, crocheted items, wooden items and more.

A food trailer will sell hot food items at the family-friendly event, and there will be music.

Vendors are encouraged to send an email to marketatthemarina@gmail.com to receive an application to set up. The fee is $20 per table.

St. Patrick’s Day parade to make a return in Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. – After two years away, the Irish American Heritage Society is pleased to present the 2022 St. Patrick’s Day parade.

It will begin at 2 p.m. March 17 in downtown Augusta.

The parade will feature music and entertainment from Richmond County schools, floats from various CSRA businesses and nonprofits, and the Irish American Heritage Society.

The grand marshal will be Doug Herman Sr., Irish lady will be Beth Real Cibak and Irish family will be the Sean Burke family. The parade chairman is Tyler V. Snead.

Those who wish to participate and submit an entry can visit www.iahsaugusta.com/parade.

Second Saturday Festival set to open in Edgefield

EDGEFIELD, S.C – The Edgefield Market announces that the opening day of the Second Saturday Festival in downtown Edgefield will be March 12 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m..

Sponsors include SRP Federal Credit Union, Generac, Auto Credit & Sales, 88.3 WAFJ and the Urban Homesteader.

Opening day will play host to the Mutt Strut benefiting the local nonprofit organization Paws N Hooves Rescue. Bring your pup, and the rest of your family. There will be contests, raffles and a parade down Main Street. While you’re there, take some time to shop with vendors, visit the petting zoo and enjoy a snack with one of the great food vendors onsite.

More information can be found at www.theedgefieldmarket.com.

SRP Park to host CSRA Heart Walk

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. – The American Heart Association is inviting the CSRA back to its premier event to boost physical and mental health through healthy habits while supporting the lifesaving mission.

On March 12 at 8 a.m., CSRA Heart Walk participants and teams are invited to SRP Park to celebrate heart and stroke survivors, raise life-saving funds and encourage physical activity.

This year’s Heart Walk, locally sponsored by Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, invites participants to take the first step toward improving their heart health. The event will be led by Dr. Philip Coule, chief medical officer at Augusta University Health.

To register, visit www.CSRAHeartWalk.org . From there, participants can stay up to date on the event and encourage friends and family to join in.

Aiken Art Walk scheduled for next month

AIKEN, S.C. – On April 5, the 11th annual Aiken Art Walk will take place in downtown Aiken.

The event brings together emerging and established visual and performing artists, farmers and artisans, arts organizations, locals and tourists alike.

Visitors can enjoy the musical talents of street side performers and peruse pop-up shops of 40 gifted artisans. Downtown shops will be open late, and admission is free.

Artists who want to participate can call 803-293-7846 or visit www.cityofaikensc.gov/aikenartwalk.

The event is sponsored by the Aiken Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Department, the Aiken Arts Commission, and the Aiken Downtown Development Association.

Monthly farmers markets planned in Laney Walker, south Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. – The city of Augusta has teamed up with local organizations to host monthly farmers’ markets.

These events will provide fresh produce from local farmers and gardeners while creating a vibrant space for community engagement.

The spring reopening of the Laney Walker farmers’ market will be from 4:30-7 p.m. April 1 at 850 Laney Walker Blvd. The market will be held every first Friday of the month. This market is sponsored by the city of Augusta, the American Heart Association and Augusta Locally Grown.

On April 20, the city will partner with Growing Augusta: Arts, Agriculture & Agency to establish the south Augusta farmers’ market. This event will be from 4-6:30 p.m. at the Henry H. Brigham Community Center, 2463 Golden Camp Road. This market will be open every third Wednesday of each month and will include health screenings, voter registration/education, a petting zoo, cooking demos and a walking club.

For more information, call 706-821-1797.

Kids invited to participate in Easter egg hunt

AIKEN, S.C. – The city of Aiken Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department will hold its annual community Easter egg hunt on April 9 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

It will be at Perry Memorial Park, 720 Abbeville Avenue NE.

The free scheduled egg hunts are as follows:

  • Therapeutic 30, for a child who may require accommodations to participate, 11-11:30 a.m.
  • 1- to 2-year-olds, 11-11:30 a.m.
  • 3- to 4-year-olds, 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
  • 5- to 6-year-olds, 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
  • 7- to 8-year-olds, 12:30-1 p.m.
  • 9- to 10-year-olds, 12:30-1 p.m.

City of Aiken to offer summer camp for kids

AIKEN, S.C. – The city of Aiken Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department will offer 10 sessions of summer day camp at the H. Odell Weeks Activities Center, 1700 Whiskey Road, from June 6 to Aug. 12.

Camp hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a 30-minute early drop-off and late pickup period available.

It’s for children ages 5-12, and the cost is $100 per child weekly, or $80 for a four-day camp week offered July 5-8.

Campers will create arts and crafts, exercise, interact with special guests, experience field trips, conduct science experiments, swim at the city pool and more.

Call 803-642-7631 or visit the City of Aiken Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Facebook page for more information.

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Eventful times ahead: Big ticket events to make a comeback in the Maritimes

Eventful times ahead: Big ticket events to make a comeback in the Maritimes

GLACE BAY, N.S –


It’s full steam ahead for organizers of the Vince Ryan Hockey Tournament in Cape Breton.


“My Prayers have been answered,” says Ritchie Warren, event organizer.


Earlier this week the province announced tournaments will return in Nova Scotia on March 7, with all COVID restrictions ending by March 21.


After a two year absence, players will soon hit the ice for one of the largest adult hockey events in North America.


“We were in big financial trouble and if it had of been cancelled. I would personally say that would’ve been the end of the Vincey Ryan. It was just draining us each year,” says Warren.


It’s not only game on for the Vincey.


In Halifax, The AUS Basketball Championship returns in March, marking the first multi-day event at the ScotiaBank Centre since 2020.


The Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo returns June, with the buskers back in the city in late July.


The Cabot Trail Relay is also on pace to return.


“It definitely gave us a lot more hope for the relay. Originally they were talking about lifting restrictions in May, which is the relay,” says Grace Mason-Parkinson, organizer.


All of this means big business for the Maritimes.


“I’ve actually talked to a number of operators who really rely on a tournament like the Vince Ryan,” says Terry Smith, Destination Cape Breton CEO.


Some hotels in Sydney, N.S. are already at capacity.


It’s revenue that’s been missed for more than two years now. The tournament generates an estimated $5 million into the local economy.


“It’s going to bring people to restaurants and bars for four days and in some cases longer. So operators are really looking forward to having that back,” says Smith.


70 teams have signed up to take part, but now that restrictions will be relaxed, Warren is hoping more will come.


“I’m amazed. We have 14 new teams coming that have never played in the Vincey before and that’s wonderful news,” says Warren.