Minnedosa Fun Fest’s paint night sold out
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- Published on Friday, November 4, 2016
Submitted photo. On Oct 27, a sold out crowd came to the Minnedosa United Church to take part in a multi-media paint night. The session was hosted by Inspire Studio owner Marlies Soltys and was a fundraiser for the 2017 Minnedosa Fun Fest.
Submitted
Minnedosa Fun Fest
On Oct. 27, the Minnedosa Fun Fest committee partnered with Inspire Studio of Fine Art to hold a multimedia paint night. Attendees came to the Minnedosa United Church hall and learned different painting techniques, as well as other mediums that can be used on a canvas from studio owner, Marlies Soltys.
After many laughs throughout the night, each attendee left with a finished masterpiece. “The night was fantastic! I had a lot of fun,” says attendee, Colleen Evenson. The night was sold out a week in advance, with a lengthy waiting list. The committee had such a great time putting this event on that they are looking at future art nights after Christmas.
The committee raised $600, which will be used to put on events for the annual Fun Fest weekend in July.
Minnedosa Fun Fest is a not-for-profit organization that relies on grants, donations and fundraisers throughout the year so that the committee can bring free entertainment, activities and events to the annual July Fun Fest weekend. Committee member Krista Powell adds, “Every year we want to make the festival in July bigger and better then the year before. We are seeing a lot of visitors to our community who come from all over Manitoba and even Saskatchewan. We want to showcase our community and attract more visitors each year!”
Following the paint night fundraiser, the Fun Fest committee hosted a Halloween social, which raised over $1,000 for the group. Fun Fest President, Erin Woodcock commented, saying, “It was a great night and we really appreciate the support from the community. Everyone seemed to have a lot of fun Saturday night!”
What’s next for the committee? “We are hosting another fundraiser this month. Pet photos with Santa will be at the hall on Nov. 20. If you don’t have an animal to bring down to have their photo taken with our real life Santa, still pop down to the Minnedosa Community Conference Centre and have a cup of hot chocolate and get your tickets for the raffle prizes. Our community has once again been amazing and donated a lot of great prizes that people can purchase raffle tickets for and the money goes to a great cause!” commented Powell. A portion of the proceeds from this event will be donated to the Westman animal rescue group, Strays That Can’t Pay.
The committee is in full force working on the plans for the July festival– while it only last three days, it takes months to plan. Entertainment is already being booked, which includes, Al Simmons.
Juno Award winner Al Simmons is a creative genius whose charm and humanity have won over a legion of fans at theaters and festivals around the world. His highly original performances of profound wackiness and his off-the-wall inventions take the arts of music and comedy to unparalleled heights of hilarity, states his website. Woodcock says, “We are very excited to bring in Manitoba’s own Al Simmons. He has performed for crowds all over the world, from Hong Kong, to Alaska, to Kelwood, so he’s sure to be a great addition to the festival!” Powell adds, “I saw him at the Harvest Sun festival in Kelwood this year and he was fabulous! The kids loved him, actually, all ages at the festival loved him! I am really looking forward to bringing him to town!”
To keep up to date with what the committee has coming up, Woodcock says, “Keep an eye on the Minnedosa Fun Fest Facebook page for upcoming events from the committee. We are always looking at different events we can bring to the community.”
The annual general meting will be taking place in November (the date is to be announced), and all groups planning or wanting to plan events for Fun Fest Weekend, anyone interested in volunteering and anyone with any suggestions, are encouraged to attend.
