Plans and preparations are heating up for the annual Summer Sizzler. An agenda has been established and final details will be ironed out during a second planning meeting held in the upcoming weeks. "Most of the stuff is staying the same,," said Mike Ulriksen, events and conference manager of the community and leisure services department for the City of Humboldt. "We're basically building upon what we've done in past years."This year's Summer Sizzler will be held from Friday, June 21 until Sunday, June 23. About a dozen events will entertain thousands of attendees. Returning for a second year, will be the Midway presented by West Coast Amusements Ltd., featuring popular carnival food, rides and games. Also returning is the Battle of the Bands presented by Partners Family Services, the JCI Dance, parade hosted by the Chamber of Commerce, pancake breakfast, and the Demolition Derby organized by JCI. Arts Humboldt will feature the SaskPower Cultural Stage once again, but will add a new "Inspiration Alley" element, which will showcase visual and spoken arts. The Community Trails Committee fundraiser Red, White and Run will, for the first time, be held in conjunction with the Summer Sizzler in efforts to increase participation. Because PolkaFest was cancelled this year, a Family Polka Event presented by the City of Humboldt will be added to this year's run of events. The City of Humboldt has worked diligently to revive the polka and include people of all ages by directing the event to families. The Little German Band will perform at the family polka event and instructors will be on hand to teach polka dances to those in attendance. Two new events added to this year's Summer Sizzler include a petting zoo and pony rides provided by Jim Hallischuk and a tractor pull and beer gardens organized by the Vintage Club. Ulriksen said the intent was to attract a more diverse demographic and to appeal to a greater range of area residents. "One of the main things we're trying to work on this year is to make sure we have events spread over the weekend that attract all different age groups," he said Wednesday afternoon. "The events are working really well to complement each other not to compete against one other."In recognition of the 101st Grey Cup, the Saskatchewan Roughriders will have some presence at the Summer Sizzler. Although details are still being confirmed, Ulriksen said a promotional merchandise truck will likely be on site for part of the event. "It's a number of small events that come together to make for a really exciting weekend. There isn't a single event that rivals this; this is by far the biggest event that we have." While the City of Humboldt hosts the event, smaller organizations plan their respective activities and participation to make the Summer Sizzler become what it has year after year. "The City of Humboldt does not make this event, it's the organizations by far," said Ulriksen. "Being able to bring all the organizations together, and to attract outlying communities to come to Humboldt, is a huge morale boost for the city."It's imperative that the organizations in town have something they can collectively do together," he continued. "All of these fundraisers are events for the different organizations so it's a way for the people of Humboldt to give back to the organizations and help them fund the work that they do during the year." While exact numbers were not available because attendance is difficult to track, Ulriksen confirmed the Summer Sizzler is a well-attended event, drawing thousands of people from the surrounding region. "There's definitely a huge economic boost because the events do span over three days. There are a lot of people that come in (to town) several times or spend the weekend in Humboldt."Nearly all of this year's events will be held outdoors, and will go ahead rain or shine.
