2010 Press Release:

New Look for Port Hope Estival! 2010

Estival! is pleased and proud to announce that we have a new Jester for 2010. Jennifer Mercer, of Jenn's Jazz It Up, will don the mask this year.
Following in the footsteps of Mike Yapp won't be easy, but we know Jennifer has the energy, bubbly personality and spunk to bring our all new Jester to life.

The costume has been redesigned from head to toe to better fit with this year's fun circus theme. Jennifer will often appear accompanied by a number of her dance students dressed in Cirque Du Soleil inspired costumes.

We at Estival! think this is fantastic and we know that Jennifer and her students will do a tremendous job as our ambassadors. Look for them in the parade and at the park during Estival!

Port Hope Estival! Duck Race results

Port Hope Estival! 2010 is pleased to announce the results of fundraising duck race, sponsored by the Port Hope Kinsmen Club.

Our winners were:
1st     duck# 636    Jenny McAlpine (of London ON) wins the patio set, 6 chairs and umbrella donated by Home Depot.
2nd    duck# 475    Pam Robinson (of Port Hope) wins the BlueRay DVD palyer from Joice Sweanor & gift cert. from Blockbuster.
3rd    duck# 97       Jim Roche (of Port Hope) wins the $150 gift basket from Baskets by Eva.
Last   duck# 361     Helen Matthew (of Port Hope) wins the "Daffy Award", a lovely (NOT) yellow duckling necklace presented in a similarily lovely (NOT) flocked yellow duck box.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to all who purchased ducks. This event raised over $1,200 to help offset some of the costs of presenting Estival! 2010. We also wish to thank Bruce Coleman, Gwen Coleman, Jeff Lees and Randie Lambert for volunteering to catch ducks after they crossed the finish line. Crongratulations to all of our winners!

Guitar Raffle

Port Hope Estival! 2010 is raffling off a guitar signed by the major entertainers appearing at Estival! this year. This is an Art & Lutherie 12 string Cedar acoustic in an antique sunburst, low gloss finish.

Retail value would be somewhere around $500, but with the autographs of Stephen Fearing, Tom Wilson, Trish Robb, the members of Cuff the Duke and Steve O'Donoghue it becomes a priceless piece of musical memorobilia.
Tickets will be available soon and will be selling for the very reasonable rate of $2 each or 3 tickets for $5. Ticket supply will be limited to 2,000 (if we sell out). Tickets may be purchased in advance or at the park during Estival!.

The draw will be made by Tom Wilson, Sunday July 1st at approximately 7:15 pm (just before he takes to the stage with Lee Harvey Osmond). Tickets will be numbered, so you don't need to be at the show to win. However: if you're not there you will be missing a great show...

Tickets are now on sale a GIGS in Cobourg (where the guitar may be seen and played)

Port Hope Estival! Duck Race

Estival! is pleased to announce our upcoming fund-raising duck race. At 1:00 on July 17th, during the side-walk sale, we will race 1,000 wooden ducks down the Ganaraska River.

We will release the ducks at the old file factory and retrieve them once they cross the finish line behind the Bargain Shop (near town hall). All ducks will be numbered and supporters may select the duck of their choice. Tickets for the duck race are $2.50 each and will be available at various locations about town and at the side-walk sale.

First prize will have a value of $250, second $200 value, third will be a $150 value. All proceeds from this fun event will go to help offset some of the operating costs involved in putting on this year's Port Hope Estival!

So, watch for our ticket sellers and purchase a duck for a bit of fun and a chance to win some great prizes. See you at the river on the July 17th.

A revamped Estival! is ready for 2010

Port Hope Estival! first exploded onto the scene in 2008 surprising many with it's vibrantly different and refreshing programming. In 2009 the organizers gave Estival! a triumphant encore with many a new twist. Now, as we approach our third Estival! the organizing committee is working hard to bring you the best “summery things” family fun festival yet.

This year's event will continue to highlight the best music, visual art, dance, culture, heritage, food and beverage of Northumberland and surrounding areas. Musically, Estival! will remain eclectic for 2010, but with a definite shift toward the Adult Contemporary & Alternative styles. Our minor theme this year will be the circus, which will ensure fun for the whole family. We're bringing you gymnasts, acrobats, clowns, and a ballon artisit. We'll even have a high-wire artist Sunday to commemorate the fact that Port Hope was once home to The Great Farini who walked perilously over Niagara Falls.

We will open the Civic holiday weekend's festivities with a free concert (Friday July 30th) beginning at 7:00pm on the Band Shell stage in Memorial Park. This show, featuring the Crisis Kings & Lead Sled Rocket, is one not to be missed. A high energy spectacle of cover tunes and original music performed by talented and experienced musicians backed by a full special effects package is sure to please all who attend.

Saturday morning we have our traditional Parade of  Colour. It's not anything like other small town parades and we are planning a few special things to wow the audience this time around. The parade will proceed down Walton and along Queen to the park, beginning at 11:00am. Those who arrive a bit early, to get a good spot, will be entertained by live music form our Lent's Lane Marquise (at Walton & Ontario Streets).

The merchant's storefront decorating competition will return this year incorporating the circus theme. We are also adding The Great Farini look-a-like contest. So man, woman, child, or pet, dust off your handlebar moustache and old-fashioned tights, join in the parade and/or be ready to go onstage at noon Saturday for the judging. There will be prizes for the best costume in several different categories. We're also asking anyone with a bicycle to decorate it up and join the parade, the more the merrier!

The park gates will open at 11:00 am, both Saturday and Sunday. Admission will be $7 Saturday (11-6), and $10 Sunday (11-8) and all children under 10, accompanied by an adult, will be admitted free.

Sunday's special early evening performances by My Sweet Patootie & LeE HARVeY OsMOND will be included with your $10 Sunday park admission, an incredible value! Those interested in combining events or purchasing tickets in advance will be offered substantial savings.

We are incredibly proud of this year's music! Our ticketed, very special concert will begin at 7:00pm Saturday night featuring talented newcomer Trish Robb, Juno nominated Cuff the Duke and award winning Canadian icon Stephen Fearing. Check the website at www.porthopeestival.ca to listen to music samples from all of our featured performers and/or link to their sites.

So plan to come on out and enjoy this unique summer festival. We hope to see you on the Civic weekend (July 31st, August 1st) at Port Hope Estival! 2010, “One Small Town, One BIG Weekend”!