Imagine walking into a greenhouse filled with butterflies.
The first-of-its-kind experience for Prince George, a butterfly house, will be waiting for visitors during the downtown Summerfest on Sunday, July 17 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For the second year, the festival wraps around the City Hall green space with the mainstage held at Sixth and George St.
Vendors, exhibitors and non-profits will be on hand so guests can browse items for purchase as well as explore information booths.
The anchor of the special event is the culinary delights found at the Canadian Western Bank Taste Pavilion featuring 20 local restaurants and, for the first time, two food trucks that will join in the foodie-geared offerings.
"The idea behind the Taste Pavilion is for each of them to offer two menu items in a taster's size to the public," said Heidi Martel, Summerfest coordinator.
Those wanting to explore the foodie adventure can purchase taste tickets in advance at Northern Hardware to beat the line ups the day of the event.
Then exchange the taste tickets for the samplers offered at Summerfest. Most items range between $2 and $5 each.
"There are sweet and savoury options," said Martel.
There is such great interest to participate in the Taste Pavilion, there's a downtown restaurant that's not even open yet that will join in the Summerfest fun.
Betulla Burning neapolitan pizzeria on Third Ave., that will open right beside its owner's first restaurant, Nancy O's, will join in the Taste Pavilion to offer a preview of what's to come when they open later this year.
"For chocolate lovers Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory will be coming in," said Martel.
The Frozen Paddle ice creamery will bring Olaf the ice cream truck to offer small batch, handmade treats using local seasonal ingredients.
"This event is really about inviting people to their downtown," said Colleen Van Mook, executive director for Downtown Prince George.
A celebration will take place to recognize the Prince George Citizen's centennial with a cake cutting beside the mainstage at 12:15 p.m. Everyone is invited to enjoy the cake to honour the Citizen's 100th year in the community.
Besides the butterfly house, the Canfor Kidz Zone will feature the Black Spruce Farms petting zoo, and there's Clinton W. Gray doing a magic show on the mainstage and doing street magic throughout the day. The Prince George Air Cadets will have a glider on display so people can get a close look at an airplane that flies with no motor.
"The Kidz Zone is really all about that," said Van Mook. "It's totally interactive. The organizations that participate are the ones that want to provide activities for the children so we have Huble Farm, Exploration Place, the YMCA." Along with Two Rivers Gallery and the Central B.C. Railway and Forestry Museum.
To help encourage inclusivity the mainstage will be graced with a community piano to invite Summerfest goers to explore their musical talents - even if they don't know how to play the piano - this might be the time to try their hand at tickling the ivories.
"The piano will have some scheduled performances on it but it is there so that people can just walk by and tinker," said Martel. "Maybe we'll have a few duets join in, maybe we'll see someone singing. We're really excited to see the interaction happen around that piano."
There will be dance and fitness demonstrations on the community stage as well.
The mainstage featured performer is the Chris Buck Band who will perform at 4 p.m. and other entertainers include the Jack Van Somer Band and there will be a musical preview of Judy Russell's production of Mary Poppins.
"It's really exciting to see the community come out to celebrate an event and also to see businesses within the community work together to bring great exhibits to the event," said Martel.
If visitors want to be eligible for a free draw, they need to offer feedback on what they liked at Summerfest. The grand prize is a trip for two for two nights in Victoria offered by Pacific Coastal Airlines. Flight and accommodations included.
For those guests who wish to attend using green power and arrive by bicycle, there will be a bike valet available off Seventh Avenue.
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