It’s no secret the last few years were challenging times for many of us and our team at the Esplanade were no strangers to it. We had to shift, adjust and, dare I say, pivot more times than I care to count. But it has been glorious to feel like we’re getting back to normal this summer.
Janet Jackson said it best in her hit song, ‘Dream about us together again. What I want: us together again.’
I am thrilled to share details about the one-day festival happening downtown on First Street in Medicine Hat next Saturday, Sept. 17. The event is called Together Again. It is a free festival that is bigger and better than anything we have had here before and gives our community (and surrounding area) an opportunity for all ages to come together and gather for a collective experience.
This inclusive event aims to bring a diverse group together to appreciate a variety of activities that include fun for the whole family!
We have four – yes, I said four! – Canadian headliners playing on the main stage in the middle of First Street SE between the Esplanade and the Medicine Hat Public Library! There is no charge, and no tickets are required to attend the concerts. The Royal Foundry will kick things off at 1 p.m., followed by The Northern Pikes at 3:30 p.m., 54-40 at 6:00 p.m. and closing out the night is High Valley at 8:30 p.m.
The bands are going to rock the street, and I can’t wait to see our community enjoying a live street concert! Experience it up close and personal right beside the stage or hang out in the beer gardens on our luscious lawn. We will also have community performers, including Taking August and Band of Brothers, playing in Veterans Park. It will be a vibe worth celebrating!
In the spirit of reconnecting, the Together Again Portrait Project showcases photographs that reflect the undeniable vibrancy, diversity and uniqueness of our community. Artist Kat Valenzuela photographed community members in the summer of 2022. These portraits will bring new life to the exterior of the Esplanade where they will be permanently displayed.
And what community event is complete without food trucks, street performers, children’s activities, a small business expo and fireworks!? All this – and more – will occur downtown on First Street next Saturday. I, for one, am beyond excited about coming together again with my community and celebrating the vibe our team has been hard at work creating. Learn about all the activities and schedule of events by visiting the webpage celebratethevibe.ca
You will know after experiencing Together Again that it’s a vibe and a vibe worth celebrating!
Melissa Stockton is Creative Promotions Specialist at the Esplanade
