KINGSTON, N.S. — The second weekend in July is going to be a busy one in Kingston.
Long believed to be North America’s only full steer barbecue is Kingston’s annual Steer BBQ and Village Fair, which falls on the second Saturday in July each year.
This year, for the event’s 60th anniversary, the Village of Kingston has sent in an application to the Guinness Book of World Records to confirm this claim to fame.
So much has been planned for the 2019 event that activities will span four days, July 11-14, instead of the regular two. Steer BBQ representative Peter Kirkpatrick doesn’t want anyone missing out this year.
“Since it’s our 60th anniversary, we’ve decided to up the game a little bit,” he says.
Thursday will be a sports day with lacrosse and a roller derby both taking place at the Credit Union Centre, along with a barbecue.
Friday kicks off with the Sparky 5K fun run getting underway at 7 p.m. on Elm Street, and family-fun activities running from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. behind the Credit Union Centre. The lineup for the evening includes music by Jaylene Samson, Tim Vallillee and Ruth Manning and the Prospectors, a Halifax Virtual Reality Interactive Demo from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., beer garden near Elm Street from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and a pyro finale celebrating the 60th anniversary at 10 p.m.
Saturday starts off with a community breakfast at the Kingston Fire Hall and moves into the parade later in the day. MasterChef Canada winner Jennifer Crawford, originally from Kingston, will be leading the parade.
One of the major events for the weekend is the steer-bucking contest. The person who can stay on the mechanical bull the longest will win $500.
At night, award-winning musician Matt Minglewood will headline on the legion stage and lead the dance running from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Sunday winds down with a gospel concert featuring Sonlight, Shoulder to Shoulder, Brad Hewey and Roxeen and Dalrymple. The concert will run from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The bulk of the activities will occur July 13:
7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Village Fair Full Breakfast (Kingston Fire Hall, Sparky Street)
9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Outdoor Market (Centennial Park)
10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Grand Street Parade through downtown Kingston featuring:
Honorary Parade Marshall Jennifer Crawford, 2019 MasterChef Canada
Noon – 6 p.m. Craft and Home-Based Business Fair (inside Credit Union Centre)
Noon – 6 p.m. Bounce Kingdom, Face Painting, Tattoos, Kiddie Cars, Paw Patrol Obstacle
Course, Wrecking Ball, Mechanical Steer Bucking
Noon – 6 p.m. Beer Garden (near Elm Street, past the basketball courts)
Noon – 6 p.m. Canteen with a selection of hot eats and sweets
12:30 p.m. Opening Ceremonies, Jennifer Crawford and others, Town Crier, cake cutting (main stage)
1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Three-on-three Basketball Tournament
1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Halifax Virtual Reality Interactive Demo (inside Credit Union Centre)
1 p.m. – 4 p.m. ON STAGE! Chairmen of The Blues, SWIG
Noon – 6 p.m. Axe Throwing (Elm Street near the basketball courts)
1 p.m. – 5 p.m. BINGO! (upstairs in the Credit Union Centre rink)
1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Dunk Tank, Kiddie Train
1 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Domino Man’s Toppling Times (Credit Union Centre)
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Tim Beanie Balloon Creations
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Atlantic Cirque Performances (on the ball field)
2 p.m. – 4 p.m. COOL RIDES BMX Demonstration (behind the Credit Union Centre)
3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Atlantic Cirque Performances (on the ball field)
4 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Domino Man’s Toppling Times (inside the Credit Union Centre
4 p.m. – 5 p.m. Mechanical Steer Bucking Contest $500 prize
9 p.m. – 1 a.m. +19 Steer BBQ Dance featuring Matt Minglewood (Kingston Legion)
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