Berwick Gala Days
There are major changes and improvements for the 67th Annual Berwick Gala Days Festival!
We've changed the date to August 8th to 12th! This will allow us to offer more activities for the entire family.
This year, Maritime Midays will be setting up a carnival and rides at the Town Hall.
This page will be updated as more information becomes available. Also check out their Facebook page or the Gala Days website for updates and forms.
If you have any questions about Gala Days or would like to be involved, please contact the Recreation Department.
The program is now available for download!
2012 Gala Days Program (1.94 MB)Berwick Gala Days 2012
Schedule
Wednesday August 8th, 2012
3:00pm
Maritime Midways - Ground admission free, $21.00 for a Bracelet, tickets also available
6:00-7:00pm
Dessert Contest @ The Wick and Union Street Café - 183 Commercial Street
7:30pm
Broken Circuit performing live and Opening Ceremonies @ Grand View Manor
9:30pm
Fireworks @ Grand View Manor. Free will offering at the entrance.
Sponsored by Russell Insurance Group Ltd., Easson’s Transport Ltd., Berwick Foodland and Atlantic Lottery Corporation.
Thursday August 9th, 2012
3:00pm
Maritime Midways - Ground admission free, $21.00 for a Bracelet, tickets also available
8:00pm
UCW Wrestling @ Kings Mutual Century Centre (KMCC)
$19.00 General Admission • $15.00 Students and seniors over 55 years old • $45.00 Family Admission (4 people) • $5.00 Meet and Greet Your Favorite Wrestler (7:00pm)
Sponsored by K-Rock
Friday August 10th, 2012
3:00pm
Maritime Midways - Ground admission free, $21.00 for a Bracelet, tickets also available
5:30pm
Community Dinner @ Christ Church Hall (Anglican Church Hall) - 238 Commercial St
Must purchase tickets in advance at Berwick Foodland or Larry’s Pharmacy
6:00pm
ATV Competition @ Grounds (behind the town hall)
Sponsored by Rick Balsor Welding
7:30pm -11:00pm
Much Music Video Dance- KMCC
Sponsored by Subway
Saturday August 11th, 2012
Grounds Admission: Adults: $4.00 Students: $2.00
7:30am -10:30am
Berwick United Church Breakfast
Scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, toast, fish cakes, home baked beans, hash browns, coffee, tea and juice $7.00 or $25.00 family of 4 @ Berwick United Church
8:00am - 7:00pm
Berwick Home Hardware Building Centre Arena Slow Pitch Classic - Berwick and surrounding area baseball fields
9:00am
Light Horse Show @ 4-H ring behind the KMCC
10:00am - 3:00pm
Car Show @ Grounds
Sponsored by Berwick Home Hardware Building Center and Kentville Mazda
10:00am - 5:00pm
Craft Gala @ Christ Anglican Church Hall
10:00am - 6:00pm
Fireman’s Bingo @ Grounds
11:00am
Maritime Midways
$21.00 for a Bracelet, tickets also available
11:00am
Children’s Parade. Parade Route: Starts at Kings Mutual Insurance, up Commercial Street to Centennial Park
11:00am
Par-T-Perfect Bounce Rides and Activities @ Grounds
11:00am
Berwick School Band Chicken BBQ @ Grounds
11:00am - 3:00pm
First Annual Gala Days Jam - open invitation to all jammers @ Town Hall Gym
12:00pm
Dance ConXion @ Main Stage
1:00pm
Fear Factor @ Main Stage
1:30pm
Princess Tea @ St. Anthony’s Catholic Church Hall, 120 Mill St.
Sponsored by Donna Conrad - RE/MAX Advantage
2:00pm - 2:30pm
Pet Show @ Main Stage
2:30pm - 3:00pm
Announcing of Car Show Prizes @Main Stage
3:00pm
Marshmallow Drop - Prizes From the Sky @ Berwick School Soccer Field, Veterans Dr.
4:00pm
Pie Eating Contest @ Main Stage
5:00pm
Modified Lawn Tractor and ATV Pulls @ Grounds
6:00pm
Old Fashioned Relay Race @ Grounds
9:00pm -1:00am
Pub Night and Dance @ KMCC
Sponsored by Wilson’s Pharmasave and AVR/Magic 94.9
Sunday August 12th, 2012
Grounds Admission: Adults: $4.00 Students: $2.00
7:30am - 10:30am
Lions Breakfast - pancakes, sausage, bacon, eggs $7.00 or $25.00 family of 4 @ Lions’ Hall, KMCC
9:00am - 1:00pm
Berwick Home Hardware Building Centre Arena Slow Pitch Classic - Berwick and surrounding area baseball fields
10:00am - 4:00pm
Quilt Gala @ Fire Hall
10:00am - noon
Fire Department Open House @ Fire Hall
11:00am
Maritime Midways $21.00 for a Bracelet, tickets also available
11:00am
Par-T-Perfect Bounce Rides and Activities @ Grounds
Noon - 4:00pm
Fireman’s Bingo @ Grounds
Noon
Ringette Pulled Pork Sandwiches from Meadowbrook Farm Market @ Grounds
1:00pm
Fraser’s Pro Home Centre Grand Street Parade. Starts at Grand View Manor and ends at Berwick Legion
2:30pm
KRRC Band “The Beat-Believe Everyone is Able Too(ne)” @ Main Stage
3:00pm
Strongman Competition @ Grounds
5:00pm
Fairgrounds close
A History
The first “Gala Day” was held on September 2, 1945 in the town of Berwick. This event was sponsored by the Berwick Amateur Athletic Association to improve Rainforth Park. The event has expanded to a multi day event, now called Gala Days. The festival attracts approximately 7,000 people annually.
The longstanding success of Gala Days is attributed to the many volunteers from the community at large. Volunteers plan the festival all year long, and operate each event as it takes place throughout the weekend. In 1945, the first Gala Days program included such events as horse pulling, a tug of war, a street parade, women’s softball, men’s baseball, a United Church supper and a street dance to end the day. Current events include children’s activities, a midway fair, horse and ox pulls, various strength competitions and races, parades, fireworks, a craft fair, a dance, a woodsman competition, eating contests, horse and car shows, and the crowning of a Gala Day Queen.
The volunteer committee’s tireless efforts, along with support from the town’s Recreation Department, have allowed Gala Days to be a coveted festival for those who live within or near Berwick. All funds raised go back to support youth activities in Berwick and its surrounding areas.