Merville’s big birthday party weekend is almost here.
This Friday, Saturday and Sunday (Sept. 27-29), the Merville hall will be in a celebratory mood as present and former Mervillites gather to meet and greet each other.
On Saturday afternoon, there will be a Centennial Tea to celebrate the descendants of the original founding fathers and mothers of the community. Keep a sharp eye out, and your autograph book handy, as you might be able to spot a local dignitary or two in attendance.
On Friday and Saturday, people will be descending upon the hall to see the play, Merville 100 Years. This original play starts with the story of the 1919 founding of the soldier settlement of Merville, by returning First World War veterans. Local actors, directed by playwright Kymme Patrick, will lead us through the years as the community grows and as its story unfolds. Original music for the play, composed by local musician Trent Freeman of the Juno award-winning group, The Fretless, will be featured and Freeman will be performing at both shows.
Saturday night, it’s the fabulous Merville Gumboot dance with the eclectic music of Flying Debris. This cosmic cover band will be grinding on a new stage that extends into the audience so you’ll really feel like you are at a Rolling Stones concert. Start me up!
Sunday at the hall is the fourth annual Merville Heritage Fall Fair from 1-5 p.m.
A fast-growing tradition of the Merville Heritage Fair is the annual Tug ‘o’ War (now in its fourth year), between Merville and Black Creek, at 3 p.m. competing for the Golden Gumboot trophy.Merville currently leads the series, 2-1.
Sunday night, the celebrations culminate in a knock-out concert featuring fantastic fiddler, Daniel Lapp; the new Kenny Shaw quartet; Ralph Barret’s Blue Tonic; and up and coming pianist, Kyra Carlson. With all of these musicians jamming together this 100-year birthday bash will end on a really high note! Your hosts for the evening, maestros Kenny Shaw and “Century Sam”, will keep the patter light and comical and strive to make it a night to remember for yet another one hundred years.
So hop to it and make the Merville hall your weekend destination, Sept. 27-29. Tickets for the events are a mere $10 each with the Sunday fall fair being no charge. Tickets will be at the door or you can get dance and Merville 100 Years play information and reservations from Marian: 250-337-1730; and Sunday concert information and reservations from Craig: 250-339-4249. FMI: www.mervillehall.ca