The Harvest Music Pageant turns 31

Fredericton is gearing up for certainly one of its most anticipated weeks of the yr: the Harvest Music Pageant.

Previous to the pandemic, the competition introduced out hundreds of attendees. The 2019 present welcomed practically 100,000 guests, in addition to lots of of musicians and artists. The final two years appeared a bit of totally different because the competition moved on-line in 2020, and in 2021, proof of vaccination was required.

However this yr organizers say it’s as near regular as doable.

“We’re encouraging all of our volunteers and all of our viewers members to put on well-fitting N-95 masks. That is what our coverage is to encourage that,” mentioned Jeff Richardson, basic supervisor of the competition. “We have adjusted among the venues in actually thrilling methods to create extra open-air areas.”

Richardson says there are extra free concert events and leisure all through the downtown core this yr, one thing he hopes will encourage extra individuals to benefit from the competition expertise.

Metropolis companies are trying ahead to this time of yr too.

Summer time has been constructive for COVID-19 restoration, but it surely’s going to take extra time, says Fredericton’s Chamber of Commerce.

“I feel it would take a very long time for companies to financially restoration from two years of staggering losses in some circumstances. And I feel that there have been modifications that we could not return to what we had been earlier than. Our labour market has modified,” mentioned Krista Ross.

However with public colleges and universities returning this week, the music competition starting subsequent week, and extra conferences being scheduled all through the autumn, Ross believes issues are trying up.

“It is a actually busy time of the yr and we’re hopeful that’s going to be constructive for our members,” she mentioned.

Richardson says the competition may nonetheless use some extra volunteers to assist out.

However simply over per week out, he’s hopeful that this yr’s Harvest will probably be a hit.

“It appears like Christmas morning is coming. It is such an thrilling time within the metropolis and I feel that that is mirrored within the vibe you will really feel downtown and likewise quite a lot of the music that is coming,” he mentioned.

“This will probably be our thirty first full competition, and that success is in no small half as a result of assist we have had from companies from day one. Virtually all of whom had been in a position to stick with us in some type via these harder years of the pandemic and who’re right here now and able to proceed supporting.”