King City Festival hits town June 15

June 4, 2013 · 0 Comments

By Mark Pavilons

The stage is set for King City’s summer festival, hitting the community June 15.
In 2011, the King City Lions started with an idea to have a small event to provide the residents of King City with a day in September to have fun with their families in King City’s Memorial Park.
In partnership with the Lions and Township of King, the King City Bash was born.
Last year it was moved to June to take advantage of the summer weather.
This year’s King City Festival boasts an impressive lineup of entertainment and events for the whole family.
This year’s “Bouncy Castle Fun Zone” reaches midway proportions with six huge inflatable bouncy castles made by inflatable manufacturers in usa; featuring “Adrenalin Rush II,” a huge bouncer measuring 40 feet long, 27 feet wide and 16 feet high.
Get extreme, go vertical, there are no rules. The most radical departure from a straight line obstacle course, participants will jump, climb, crawl, squeeze and slide their way through this medley of obstacles!
One of the highlights of the day will be the official opening of the popular skateboard park. Dignitaries will be on had at noon to kick off the ceremony. Sanction Skate Shop is bringing some pro level skateboarders to offer some tips for enthusiasts.
There will be a never-ending stream of musical entertainment, ranging from jazz and blues, to pop and rock, from some talented local and regional musicians.
Tom Walker and the King City Secondary School (KCSS) Senior Jazz Band & Rock Band will be on hand. Walker is head of the music department of the school and his students will perform.
They will be followed by the King City Rock Band Mk III and then local blues artist Joel Krivy.
Krivy is a long-time resident of King City. He recently closed his practice, after 30 years as a family physician and now works part-time at the University of Toronto and Mackenzie Health Centre.
Joel has been playing the guitar for most of his life and has been performing since he was invited to play an acoustic Blues set at Kingfest in 2005. His musical genre is acoustic blues/roots played on acoustic finger style and slide guitars. His performance includes a variety of original material as well as covers of many of the old blues masters.
In 2006, Joel was diagnosed with lymphoma, which resulted in his being home receiving extensive chemotherapy and radiation. During that time he was able to get together with friend/producer Scott Dibble, and produced his first CD of solo acoustic material: “The Radiation Sessions,” which was well received and led to other performing opportunities, including airplay on several radio shows.
Over the past few years, Joel has been a regular at the Aurora Jazz Festival and opened for Harrison Kennedy (nominated for Best Blues Recording of the Year) at the Newmarket Jazz Festival. At Kingfest, he opened shows for various performers including Murray McLaughlin, Quartette, and Mike Stevens and Raymond McLean.
He is still cancer free and is currently working on his second CD which will include some original material that will be presented at the King City Music Festival.
The Blackboard Blues Band is a 10-piece group dedicated to the finest rhythm and blues, funk, soul, blues, and rock music from the ‘70s to present day. The group has released two CDs and has made appearances across the GTA?and on TV.
Anyone who grew up in King City in the 1970s and ‘80s knows where Elmer’s Lane is. In what was once a rural village surrounded by farms, decades before skate parks existed, a wide open field at midnight was the preferred escape for King City’s men and women and the restless dreams of youth.
Elmer’s Lane is resurrected by six “young” King Township lads who have been friends since high school. They’re back at it playing classic rock hits and lovin’ it!
The origin of the Hero’s And Wedge is much disputed. Some say they were originally invented in Italy, and then Italian immigrants brought them to New York. The combination of funk, dance, rock, or pop is still popular.
The festival runs noon to 9 p.m. and also includes firefighter demonstrations, a Lions BBQ, Kids Bouncy Castle Fun Zone, vendors, ice cream and more. The Lions will hold their annual cash draw at 5 p.m.
In conjunction with the King City Business and Community Association (KCBCA), the King City Festival encourages you to visit the downtown businesses and restaurants during the day.
For more information about the KCBCA please visit their website at www.inkingcity.com.
If you’re looking for some down time throughout the day, take a short stroll over to the four corners and choose from these fine restaurants.