Crazy Daze returns to downtown Stettler this weekend for the beginning of a week of sales, along with a mid-week midway next Tuesday and Wednesday at the agricultural grounds.
Businesses along Main Street will be opened June 9 to 16 with sidewalk sales and other promotions.
“Hopefully, everyone will come downtown for plenty of good bargains and sales, and the kids have fun at the carnival,” said Stettler Downtown Business Association president Andrea Hatch.
“We strongly encourage businesses that this is a perfect time to have sidewalk sales and we urge people to come downtown to see what businesses offer.”
The midway will be open next Tuesday and Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.
“There is a great silver lining — since West Coast is coming during the week, we are slated to have their full 28 rides operating, instead of the 11 rides that have come in the past,” Hatch said.
“That’s two-and-a half times the excitement.”
For the next two years, the midway will be held mid-week to accommodate the schedule of the carnival company, she said.
“This will be an experimental year, to help us plan the future of Crazy Daze and see what new activities and features can be added.
“Our long-term goal is to negotiate with the company to stage the midway on a different day of the week, preferably on a weekend.”
Over the decades, Crazy Daze has featured musical entertainment, fundraising food concessions, clowns, employees dressed in crazy costumes, and other fun and games for children.
For many years, the midway was located downtown, which several business owners said distracted from the downtown businesses.
Pancake breakfast set for Friday
The Crazy Daze kickoff event, the annual pancake breakfast, is slated for this Friday outside the Stettler Independent office. The breakfast runs from 8 to 10 a.m.
RICHARD FROESE, Independent reporter