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Annual events make ‘normal’ return

Annual events make ‘normal’ return

ABOVE: From left Kathy Mathiason, Pam Hill, Carol Hazard, Harriet Danielson and Carolyn Thompson engage in conversation while enjoying tasty treats and fresh brewed tea and coffee late Saturday morning on the outside patio of the historic Chubb House in Fairmont.

FAIRMONT– The first full weekend of May was a busy one in Fairmont as several annual events made their return.

On Saturday the historic Orville P. Chubb House, located at 209 Lake Ave. in Fairmont, opened its doors to the public for the annual Spring tea. The Chubb House typically hosts two community events a year, one in the winter and one in the spring. The last event that was held there was in 2019 as 2020 and 2021 events were cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions and concerns.

The first event back after a two year hiatus did not disappoint. Mary Don Kislingbury, a Martin County Preservation Association member, estimated that 125 people attend the Spring tea on Saturday. The warm weather also allowed for outdoor seating which was nice given the large crowd and small size of Fairmont’s oldest surviving building. The Chubb House’s loyal volunteers served tea, coffee, fruit, baked goods and a variety of delicacies.

Another event that made its return this weekend was Borchardt Dance Company’s annual recital, which took place Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon at the Performing Arts Center at Fairmont High School.

For more than 50 years, BDC’s recital has taken place over Mother’s Day weekend. However, in 2020 the recital was held in July at Martin Luther High School in Northrop. Last year, the recital also took place over the summer with capacity limits.

To the excitement and relief of many, this year’s recital was held on the traditional dates and in the traditional venue with no capacity limits. Thirty-two different dances took place by dancers from as young as three, all the way to 18-year-old seniors in high school. Several numbers were also done by those in the adult dance class.

The busy weekend was just the start of a busy season and events around Fairmont will continue next weekend with Dancin’ Plus’s recital, which will take place Friday through Sunday at the Fairmont Opera House.

Emmalyne’s Angel Day, an event held by the Forever, Emmalyne organization, will take place Sunday, May 15 at the East Chain Activity Center. The event will include a 5K, activities, music, food and a raffle.

Later that week, from May 19 to the 21st, Kinship of Martin County’s annual industrial auction will be held at the Martin County fairgrounds.

On Saturday, May 21, the Fairmont Lakes Foundation’s bi-annual lake shore clean up will take place. Several other events and activities will take place around town that weekend, including an activity at the Martin County Library in Fairmont, a Boy Scout event at Cedar Point Scout Camp and an event hosted by the Kids Just Want to Have Fun committee at Heritage Acres.

Toward the end of the month, on May 26, there will be an unveiling of Going Hog Wild’s competed hog statues, which will go to more than 30 businesses and organizations around Martin County. The statues were painted by more than a dozen area artists. The event will start at 5 p.m. on Downtown Plaza.

The last weekend of the month will also be a busy one with Fairmont Opera House’s Memorial Day Street Fest, which will take place on Downtown Plaza on Saturday, May 28. The event will consist of live music, various food trucks and activities for children and families.

While many people’s schedules may be quickly filling up leading into summer, it’s probably safe to say it’s a welcome sight after two years of many cancelled events and celebrations.

To learn more about upcoming activities and events, check out the Fairmont Area Community Calendar at fairmontareacalendar.com.



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Today’s sporting events in Bloomington-Normal

Today's sporting events in Bloomington-Normal

BASEBALL

College

Illinois Wesleyan at North Central, noon.

High school

Eureka at Central Catholic, 4:30 p.m.; Normal Community at Galesburg, 4:30 p.m.; University High at Springfield Lanphier (2), 4:30 p.m.; Heyworth at Cornerstone Christian, 4:30 p.m.

GOLF

College women

Illinois State in NCAA Stillwater Regional at Stillwater, Okla.

LACROSSE

High school boys

Bloomington-Normal at Dunlap, 5:30 p.m. 

SOCCER

High school girls

Danville at Normal Community, 4:30 p.m.

SOFTBALL

High school 

Normal Community at Moline (2), 3:30 p.m.; Bloomington at Mount Zion, 4:15 p.m.; Tolono Unity at Central Catholic, 4:30 p.m.; University High at Jacksonville, 4:30 p.m.; Normal West at Champaign Central, 4:30 p.m. 

TENNIS

High school boys

Rochester at Central Catholic, 4:30 p.m.

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‘Almost back to normal’: Organizers planning big return of downtown Lethbridge events – Lethbridge | Globalnews.ca

‘Almost back to normal’: Organizers planning big return of downtown Lethbridge events - Lethbridge | Globalnews.ca

Lethbridge’s Heart of Our City Committee, a group formed in 2007 to champion downtown Lethbridge and provide strategic leadership with revitalization efforts, is awarding $150,000 in grants this year to help reinvigorate the city’s core.

“It’s definitely been the year where we’re looking at relaunching the social aspect of downtown, and upholding and creating that exciting and vibrant community that we all know and love,” said chairperson Lorien Johansen.

They are funding both old and new events, initiatives and projects through Reimagine Downtown Activation grants.

Read more:

Downtown Lethbridge BRZ issues first annual report

With summer right around the corner, Lethbridge Pride Fest is receiving $8,000 for its June event, which will include the reintroduction of staples like pride in the park. They haven’t been able to host it since 2019.

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Lane Sterr, who’s been chair since 2020, is looking forward to his third pride experience as part of the board.

“We are so excited. Our planning starts in about February (or) March each year and this year we’re planning an almost back-to-normal celebration,” he explained.


Click to play video: '11 downtown projects receive grant funding in Lethbridge'







11 downtown projects receive grant funding in Lethbridge


11 downtown projects receive grant funding in Lethbridge – Jul 22, 2021

In 2019, Sterr estimates their total turnout was between 8,000 and 10,000 people. In 2020 and 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic put the main celebrations on pause while it hosted a few intimate events such a photoshoots.

While it’s hard to predict what 2022 will look like, Sterr is optimistic.

He looks forward to the positive impact the events season will have on the downtown core, especially for small businesses.

Read more:

Lethbridge Jazz Festival opens Friday with high school musicians

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“After two years of not being able to celebrate with our community, I feel like there’s going to be a really big pull to make the time and get out to celebrate pride,” he said, adding they understand the pandemic isn’t over and not everyone will feel comfortable being in a crowd.

“We are going to have some online events or smaller events that fit the needs of everyone.”

The Lethbridge Jazz Society, which would have celebrated its 10th Jazz Fest in 2020, has also applied for the grant funding.


Click to play video: 'Lethbridge Pride Fest adapts to COVID-19'







Lethbridge Pride Fest adapts to COVID-19


Lethbridge Pride Fest adapts to COVID-19 – Jun 22, 2020

While it typically hosts a days-long festival in the summer, things are changing.

Jazz society president Mike Prociew said they are holding multiple events throughout the year instead.

“We figure that by spreading the logistics out, we hope to reach a broader base of people during a variety of times that might be more accessible to them,” Prociw explained.

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The deadline for the third of four rounds of this year’s Reimagine Downtown Activation Grants is April 22.

© 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.