It may not feel like it, with snow still on the ground and a chill in the air, but the much-anticipated Summer Sizzler is only 100 days away.
Feels like just yesterday the big, shiny rides from West Coast Amusements pulled into town and people were rooting through junkyards for rust-buckets worthy of the JCI's Demolition Derby.
And now everyone can breathe a sigh of relief that the annual weekend-long Humboldt event is only a little over three months away.
So get out your calendars and mark off June 20-22, because that's when the 2014 Summer Sizzler will be parked in Humboldt.
At the event's planning meeting on March 4, much was discussed to make sure this year's exhibition is the best the city has seen.
Coun. Rob Muench was in attendance and brought up the fact that some people would like to see even more rides appropriate for youths and adults.
Mike Ulriksen, the City of Humboldt events manager and the Sizzler's main organizer, agreed, acknowledging that many of West Coast Amusements' rides have been skewed toward kids in the past.
"We're definitely working on that," Ulriksen said, noting that West Coast has three travelling groups so the rides are divided between them.
Nonetheless, the rides are always a blast and the more, the better; West Coast Amusements' rides and games will be the centerpiece of the Sizzler, set up outside the Uniplex for the entire weekend beginning Friday afternoon.
As well, the Sizzler will be having a youth event on the Friday night of that weekend, at the same time as the JCI Cabaret is taking place in the curling rink.
Muench suggested having the event (possibly a talent show or dance) outside on the fair grounds, since that's where most teens will want to be anyways.
Ulriksen admitted that the Partners Family Services' Battle of the Bands in the past hasn't been as popular as they'd have liked so they're looking for new ideas geared toward the teens in town during the Sizzler.
So while signature events like the JCI's cabaret and the 43rd demolition derby will be back again this year, others have been added to the program that are sure to entertain fair goers.
A 22-space flea market will be set up inside the perimeter of the arena on the Saturday, while touring musical group Saskatchewan Express will be performing on stage too. A bonus is that it'll be a free event since the cost was generously covered by a grant from SaskPower.
Those interested in having a booth at the flea market should contact Ulriksen at the City.
The pancake breakfast and the parade will also take place that morning and the public is encouraged to register floats for the kick-off event.
Staple attractions like the petting zoo, airplane rides and Humboldt Broncos gear will be making a return (rumour has it that some Roughriders cheerleaders may pop by, although not confirmed yet).
And what would normally be a quiet Sunday for many won't be at the Sizzler, because it'll be jam-packed like the rest of them.
The Sizzler Strut will begin in the morning with a 5K run or walk and 10K run (and a smaller kids run for our active tykes!). The run/walk-a-thon is sponsored by the Humboldt Community Trails Association and is currently looking for volunteers to help run it.
The Humboldt Area Vintage & Antique Club is bringing back its tractor pull, and the planning committee is currently working on improving barricades and seating.
And other attractions like an SGI rollover simulator and even a Texas Hold'Em tournament as part of the SSFA 55+ Games will pop up during the weekend; or, if absolutely none of this interests you, hey, you can always come for the barbecued fare served up by the Broncos' organization. Or cotton candy - that's always a treat.
The 2014 Summer Sizzler will be in Humboldt the weekend of June 20-22 and is sure to be a showstopper you don't want to miss.
For additional details and contact information, phone Mike Ulriksen at the leisure services department, 682-2597, and to keep up with the latest news, make sure to check out the "Humboldt Summer Sizzler" Facebook page.
