Pops in the Park sees the Prince George Symphony Orchestra (PGSO) set up at the Fort George Park bandshell Sunday at 2 p.m. to play popular hits that are everyone's favourites.
There will also be a healthy dose of pigeon pageantry as 120 pedigree pigeons take to the skies in a display of fined feathered flight, while 10 elite pigeon athletes take part in a race that requires speed, stamina, power, tenacity and vigour.
The afternoon's free entertainment will feature guest conductor Tim Huebert from Saskatchewan and includes music familiar to the ears, like James Horner's Titanic Theme, Williams's Star Wars 2, and Rossini's Barber of Seville overture.
"We have a good line up of music," said Elizabeth Clark, orchestra development officer at the PGSO. "Some are more popular classical pieces. There's a variety of music. Great music for a relaxing day out in the park."
In the event of rain, Pops in the Pews will be held at St. Michael's All Angels Anglican Church, 1505 Fifth Avenue.
During the Pops in the Park, the Speckled Joey Memorial Pigeon Race will bring together pedigreed pigeons are from Ken Fisher's Fancier Loft, including Gregory Peck, Walter Pigeon, Hot Wings Hoola Hen, Ethan Hawk, Homer the Homer, Albert Ross, Helen Gone, J. Stool Pigeon, Wing & Prayer and Speckled Joey.
The start of the race is filled with pomp and circumstance as the pigeons are called to wings with a bugle call.
In the past the race was a corporate sponsored event where a business would invest $200 in the bird of their choice. This year it's open to the public.
The pigeon race is a fundraiser where audience members can purchase tickets for $1 and place their tickets in the box designating which bird will win the race.
After the race one ticket from each bird's box will be drawn and that person will get a prize. The value of the prize is determined by the pigeon's place in the race. So the person who guesses the correct winning bird and gets their ticket drawn gets the prize with the most value.
Prizes include gift baskets from local businesses as well as symphony tickets.
For more information about the event visit www.pgso.com.
