The anticipation is over and the city's 8-day Stars and Thunder Festival is officially underway at Hollinger Park,
Mayor Steve Black was quite jovial during his opening address, as he was joined by singer-songwriter Beverley Mahood, who will be performing on Monday afternoon. The two did their best to rile up the crowd who had been patiently awaiting the entertainment to begin, which was a little behind schedule.
The main festival stage is actually one of two stages belonging to festival headliner Keith Urban and his team. Two stages are alternated during his tours. The other is currently is Dauphin, Manitoba for Urban's performance on June 30, before it heads to the Orillia area for the Boots and Hearts festival.
In his opening remarks, Black praised the hard work that city staff has done in preparations of this festival, the largest city-run event in its history. He also ran through a lengthy list of local sponsors who made the event possible.
Mahood asked Black about how the festival came together. He acknowledged that it was a bold move for the city to take going for 8-day event.
David Whysall Fireworks approached Black about the possibility of an international fireworks show in Timmins, as the company has successfully co-ordinated several other fireworks shows in the city.
"They said Steve, we've always wanted to host an international fireworks, would you consider hosting an international fireworks show here in Timmins? They went through the gamut, there's only three international fireworks competitions in all of Canada. So I thought, well what better place to do it than Northern Ontario, Timmins, Ontario," explained Black.
On a warm, clear day the crowds came out in full force for the opening day of Stars and Thunder. Andrew Autio for TimminsTodayBlack revealed that the festival was originally supposed to be staggered, with a show every second day.
"I said I can't have a festival with nothing going on, every other day. So I asked them if they could do eight days in a row. They looked at me and said its never been done, anywhere in an international fireworks competition, but yes we can do it," said Black.
On October 4, 2016 at city hall, it was announced that the city would be committing $3.5 million taxpayer dollars to bankroll the festival. The latest total released by city hall brought the financial commitment to $4.3 million.
Mahood told the crowd the event will 'really put you guys on the map'.
In celebration of St. Jean Baptiste Day an all francophone musical lineup took the stage. Yvan and the Bandidos were the first artists of festival.
Michel Pagliaro is this evening's headliner.
