Festival: Sad start, happy ending

Stephanie Ehr

Pancake breakfast

Rotarian Ivan Traill cooks breakfast during the kickoff ceremonies to the Neepawa Lily Festival on Friday.

Stephanie Ehr

Pancake breakfast

Rotarian Ivan Traill cooks breakfast during the kickoff ceremonies to the Neepawa Lily Festival on Friday.

The 14th Annual Neepawa Lily Festival carried on despite the loss of its founder Barrie Strohman.

"Barrie's wish before he passed was for the festival to continue on without him," Neepawa Mayor, Bob Durston said.
Lily Festival coordinator, Audrey Heffell said the event turned out to be a wonderful weekend for many.

"Attendance was up from last year, although we don't have a gate to track exactly the number, from what organizers could see it was definitely up. People wandered through and we had many new vendors this year. Twelve vendors have already signed up for next year," Heffell said.

Mother Nature's cooperation as well didn't hurt attendance numbers.
"Although we were disappointed in the original amount of entries in the lily parade, by the end of the week we had more entries and many people came out to watch it," Heffell said.
Durston said it was a really great parade.

"The antique car and tractors in the parade were a nice addition. A lot of people were along the route, and this added something special," Durston said.
Durston, a Rotarian and helped host the pancake breakfast Friday morning, said approximately 300 people came out to enjoy it.

"There were numerous Rotarians helping and eating at the breakfast. The profits we made we turned over to the festival to help with their finances," Durston said.
Throughout the festival, and many on Saturday, there was different forms of entertainment this year than at past festivals.

"I think some people were disappointed, but we are trying to cover the needs of everyone," Heffell said.

"It will take people awhile to accept that."

Culturama was also held on Saturday. This show was put together by the local immigrants that have come to our town. The Filipino traditional dancers performed and received a standing ovation.

"Our theme was welcoming the nations, and we wanted to coincide with our new cultures in town from our immigrants coming here to work at Springhill and other job opportunities. It was great that they performed," Durston said.

Heffell said the reviews from visitors were strong and positive.

"I think it was a wonderful weekend. Anyone that missed it missed a great time. All the organizers and visitors are pretty happy with it. All the positive comments make you feel great," Heffell said.

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