The Lytton River Festival has been a key celebration in the village and surrounding region for 20 years, and the organizers of this year’s event are hoping that businesses, community groups, and First Nations in the area and beyond will step up as sponsors.
The festival usually depends on government funding to help meet the costs of putting on the event, but this year that funding has fallen through, leaving organizers looking at other funding sources.
They are also hoping that the 2024 festival — scheduled for the Labour Day weekend — can be held in its traditional location of downtown Lytton. The last time it was held there was in 2019; in 2020 it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in June 2021 fire destroyed 90 per cent of the downtown core.
With that area off-limits, the event had to be held elsewhere. Rebuilding is now underway, however, and key services have been restored, enabling the 2024 festival to return to downtown Lytton, and celebrate the area’s rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and community spirit.
“With all of the delays and challenges we’ve faced over the past few years, the festival — especially now that it’ll be held in the village — is somewhat symbolic of our rebirth as a community,” says Lytton River Festival president Jessoa Lightfoot.
“We are determined to again host a successful festival during the Labour Day weekend, but we cannot do it alone. We are reaching out for support, hoping that past sponsors will renew their commitment and new sponsors will join us in making this event possible.”
Lightfoot says that the community wants, and needs, the event to be held in downtown Lytton, adding that the location will bring back a lot of memories of festivals past.
“We used to have a huge festival, and invited people from Chilliwack to Salmon Arm, because we had restaurants and hotels and campgrounds that can host people. We can’t do this now, but we are rebuilding, and can host more people from out of town.
“We hope to have a lot of vendors. We’re starved for retail outlets, and the festival is always nice when it has unique things to browse through.”
Lightfoot notes that the festival has always been a great free event for families, and the organizers are planning on bringing back a lot of popular events and attractions.
“Hopefully we will have food vendors on site, and hot dogs by donation. There will be kids’ activities and craft workshops on Saturday and Sunday, and tours down to the confluence of the Fraser and Thompson Rivers, where an Elder will be sharing stories.
“That’s where the event started: celebrating two great rivers and the people who live there.”
The ever-popular Chicken Poop Bingo will be back, and Lightfoot says they hope to have four to six hours of live music — spearheaded by local favourites Richie and the Fendermen — depending on availability and sponsorship.
“Everything depends on the sponsorship. We have to have a stage, and canopies, and chairs, and pay the musicians. We’re hoping to get enough sponsorship to extend the music component.”
Local chamber of commerce president Bernie Fandrich says that the rebuilding symbolizes the resilience and determination of Lytton's residents, adding that sponsoring the festival is more than just a financial contribution.
"It's a way to bring back the spirit of community that we've missed so much. We used to gather at these local spots, and those interactions are what make Lytton special."
Sponsors will not only contribute to the festival's success, but also have the opportunity to participate in the event. “Your name will be on our website, and you’ll be thanked numerous times during the event,” says Lightfoot.
While sponsorship packages are available at various levels, any amount will be appreciated. “Even a couple of hundred dollars is great, to sponsor a band or some facilities or direct it specifically to something,” says Lightfoot.
“The Lytton River Festival has a long history of bringing people together, and we’re confident that, with support, we can continue this tradition. We urge all potential sponsors to come forward and be part of this vibrant community celebration.”
In addition to sponsors, the organizers are interested in hearing from potential vendors (including food vendors), people who can lead craft workshops, and musicians. For more information, email Nonie McCann at riverfestpresident@gmail.com or call or text Jessoa Lightfoot at (778) 254-0490.
