Despite the unseasonably cold and occasionally rainy early September weather this weekend, people came out to enjoy the 47th edition of Valley East Days Sept. 6-8.
Organizer Chris Vitiello said it was hot and sunny to the point he was getting a sunburn when he was helping with festival set-up on Thursday, and then the weather took a chilly turn, even though it’s still technically summer.
Many people were even spotted wearing winter hats on Saturday, when temperatures hovered around 7 C during the afternoon, with some occasional rain.
“It's extremely frustrating that the gods are not with us this year,” he said, adding that some events were moved inside the Hanmer Valley Shopping Centre because of the weather so that people could stay warm.
Besides free family-friendly activities, which included everything from inflatables to a pro wrestling show to axe throwing to fireworks, Valley East Days also features ticketed outdoor concerts, bringing in bigger-name performers.
This year’s country night featured Jason McCoy for its country night on Friday and The Trews for its rock night on Saturday.
Even though it was also rainy and cold Friday night (and for that matter, Saturday night), people made the best of it, Vitiello said.
“It started raining, and people were dancing in the rain,” he said.
People really look forward to Valley East Days, Vitiello said.
“For example, my kids go to elementary school, they’re 8 and 10,” he said. “Everybody in all the classes, they all talk about going to Valley East Days. So it brings people something to really look forward to and celebrate together on a weekend.”
Heidi Ulrichsen is Sudbury.com’s assistant editor.
