Vermilion Street Jamboree new fundraiser to support FOCUS

A new event is hitting Vermilion this Friday to raise money for support services in the community.

FOCUS Society for Support Services kicks off its first annual Vermilion Street Jamboree, where the 4900 block of Main Street will be blocked off for an evening of shrimp and pasta, while enjoying local musician Adrienne Levy and a performance from The Oddibles.

“We’re serving dinner with CLASS, which is our adult learning here, and the Vermilion Public Library, they’re taking care of dinner. It’s a fundraiser for all three of us,” said director, Special Projects, Dawn Riley.

“We just thought we’d do something a little different. We know it’s harvest, but we’re trying this time of year anyways.” 

The event looks to capitalize on a busy weekend in Vermilion. On Saturday, the Good Life Institute is holding Art in the Park, which ties into Alberta Culture Days. Participants can sign up for an art creation class, as well as enjoy a free lunch, and an outdoor artisan market.

The lead in on Friday also aims to build on the growing number of street events in Vermilion.

There will be spirits provided by Cooper Cork Distillery, as well as community engagement with recreation and social groups setting up information booths.

Focus is a multi-pronged social support centre in Vermilion and money raised will go to help their programs, including the ones they also run in Lloyd.

“We have our Disability Support Program, which is the one that’s been around since the 1960s. That’s the individuals that live in the airport subdivision, and the outreach that we do with individuals with developmental disabilities,” said Riley. 

“Then we have our transportation service, which started up last June. One of the things I’m the director of is the medical transportation, but non-emergency. The hospital will call like, somebody needs to go for a CAT scan in Wainwright instead of calling an ambulance, and leaving our ambulance leaving our area for three hours, they’ll call us.”

If it’s rainy or smoky, the show will go on, as patrons will be moved into the Elks Hall.

The event gets going at 5:00pm with dinner to follow at 6:00pm.