Some people consider Galt Gardens to be their living room, so what better way to celebrate summer than with a ‘party in the park’ and fill  that ‘living room’ with music and art for an entire day.
That is the idea behind Shelter Me — Party in the Park, which takes place in Galt  Gardens from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Aug. 7.

“This is a way to fill Galt Gardens with something positive and erase that stigma of Galt Gardens,” said Deanna Vincent, who is helping organize Party In The Park with  Darrell Smith.

“Unfortunately Galt Gardens has become the living room for the homeless. They don’t have one, so this is the place they come to have friends over. Because they can’t do that at the shelter,” she continued taking a quick breather from  the non-stop hustle and bustle of being a mentor  and case worker at the Lethbridge Shelter Resource Centre. She said the shelter has approximately 100 residents, with another 300 who use the facility’s programming.

The event, which is the brainchild of Darrell Smith, was originally designed as a fundraiser for the shelter, but quickly evolved into something much bigger.

There is a main stage featuring  a variety of musicians  including the Ben Brown Trio, the Johnny Rains Band, Granite Force, Smokin’ Pistols, Trena Geall and louder acts like Chief Mountain, Kenzi Kill and Sevenday Sin as well as Vercitile  performing throughout the day on the main stage interspersed with dancers.

There are also two open stages for anyone else who wants to play in front of people.
“If you want to play in front of people, we’ll welcome you. We won’t turn you away,” she said.
“Let’s fill up Galt Gardens with lots of people,” she said.

 

Buskers, street performers and artists will be roaming throughout  the park. Plus there will be vendors tables set up throughout.
“We have a variety of vendors. We’ve got handicrafts, vintage clothing, used books and artists,” she said adding  there is no cost to having a table and there are several tables still available for anybody who wants one.

While the event is no longer a fundraiser — the purpose is to fill Galt Gardens with positive energy and great entertainment —  she said the Shelter will gladly accept donations.
“We’ll gladly accept donations. We held a memorial service for one of the residents of the shelter who  passed away. His family made a donation. We’re also getting support from  other community organizations.
 There will be a dunk tank and other activities including a Guitar Hero competition as well as food vendors.
Volunteers are needed to help set up tents beginning at 7 a.m. and to clean up afterwards plus run some of the events.

After the day’s events, stick around for a free showing of  “Furry Vengeance,” starring Brendan Fraser, whihc is part of the movie in the park program at  Galt Gardens.

 

The updated schedule for the day  is as follows.
10:30 Opening Ceremony
11:00 Thomas Chief Moon
11:20 Dance Performance by Heather Anderson
11:25 Tim Heavyshields n’ John
11:45 Dance Duet -
11:50 Trena Geall and Terry Pierson
12:20 Dance Performance by
12:25 Granite Force
1:00 Hand Game Demo
– Mike Many Grey Horses
2:15 Johnny Rains Band
2:40 Sacred Savages
3:00 Gunt
3:20 Dance Duet -
3:25 Simone Smith
3:45 A Gauntlets End
4:10 Streets Stunts and Martial Arts Performance Jonathan Hatichuk
4:20 Cody Prairie Chicken
4:45 The Undersigned
5:10 Chief Mountain
5:45 Kenzi Kill
6:30 Kasey Russell
7:00 Vercitile

 

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