Bounce, dance and play at Merritt’s Dance in the Park

Posted by Laísa Condé | Aug 19, 2024

With the last days of summer just around the corner, there’s still a chance for Merrittonians to enjoy it up to the very last second.

On Aug. 24, Merrittonians are invited to join in for a fun day at Rotary Park. The third ‘Dance in the Park’ event is set to happen from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

“I really enjoyed the event last year and I’m really pleased that we’re getting to do it again,” Kia Henriksen, one of the organizers of the event, said.

“We’re celebrating the town and all that it has to offer.”

This year, Henriksen and Susan Doncaster have more help as Literacy Merritt & Nicola Valley Society and the Nicola Valley Arts Council got involved with the event.

Participants of the Dance in the Park can expect a full day of fun, with Taekwondo demonstrations, bouncy castle, local vendors, and a few performances.

“If anyone wants to come in and be a part of it, we would be happy to have them join us,” Henriksen said. “I know that last year, the water fight was a highlight for a lot of kids, so we’re gonna make that bigger and better.”

She also highlighted the significance of having this event during the summer.

“I really hope that it is a space for everyone to connect and to explore all the different programs and activities here, because there’s a lotmore than appears on the surface,” Henriksen said.

“I would love it to continue to be a day where people can just come out and have fun, enjoy the music and hopefully see some performances or demonstrations by different groups.”

Henriksen said that the event has even more significance after the last few years, when Merritt was affected by COVID-19 pandemic, wildfires and the 2021 flood.

“The idea is basically to celebrate the resilency of this community during all of the adversity it’s faced,” she said. “To bring different groups and organizations together, because I think that, sometimes, people don’t realize how much there is in Merritt, how much this town has to offer.”

She hopes that the Dance in the Park event is here to stay.

“I just hope that it becomes a fun tradition. We’re gonna just keep trying to build it. I know last year there was a few things that people walked away really enjoying, so we’re gonna try and bring all of those back,” Henriksen added.

“I just hope everyone comes down and enjoys it … I just hope it can be a fun day for everyone to just hang out and check out what we have in this town and dance, and listen to some music.”

Henriksen added that they are still taking in vendors for the event. Those who wish to set their tables at the event should contact Kia Henriksen at 780-573-0861.