CORNER BROOK, N.L. — Craig Borden is a motorsports person and travels to many places taking part in ATV festivals.
“And every time I go, I always think we’ve got something to offer just as good or better here on the west coast.”
Borden, the owner of Rugged Edge in Corner Brook, said the surrounding area has lots of woods roads that can be taken advantage of for trail riding.
That’s why he’s happy to see that ATVs and all the area has to offer for ATV enthusiasts will be the focal point of the city’s new summer festival.
The Jigs and Wheels Festival, to take place July 30 to Aug. 2 and which comes on the heels of the successful 2019 Corner Brook Come Home Year, was announced at city hall Wednesday afternoon.
It will feature music and food events, while welcoming ATV enthusiasts to the city with lots of opportunities to ride.
Borden was wearing two hats at the announcement. Rugged Edge is one of the sponsors of the festival — the others are Steady Entertainment and Saltbox/Everoutdoor Adventures — and he’s also co-chair the city’s STAR (Strategic Tourism for Areas and Regions) committee.
After the city passed a law allowing ATV use in a designated route through the downtown last summer, Borden said he definitely wanted to be a part of the festival from a business perspective.
The festivals he’s visited sell out and he expects the same will happen here.
“And we’re going to have to come up with a plan to accommodate more people.”
As STAR co-chair, he likes that the festival is going to involve a lot of different areas.
“It’s not just Corner Brook, which is what STAR is all about.”
There will be rides to Benoit’s Cove and to the north shore of the Bay of Islands and, besides offering lots for locals to ride and view the different machines, it will bring in people from other areas.
“People as far as Springdale or Grand Falls may travel right to Corner Brook on their ATVs. I think people will plan Corner Brook as a destination for their ride that week.”
Borden would also like to see the ATV route in the city expanded to include more alleyways that could give people access to places like the Corner Brook Plaza and the hotels on Confederation Drive.
The city announced its intentions to hold the festival in November and Coun. Tony Buckle and a committee of city staff put together the plan for the four days.
Buckle thinks the ATVs will be a big draw as interest in the sport is growing.
“The way it’s moving through all of Canada and the United States, more people are getting into the country and in the trails. And we have the best on the island here on the west coast.”
The festival will also feature another street party, also a part of last summer's Come Home Year celebration, with Blame it on Broadway…Again.
So far, three local bands have been set up to play.
Last year’s event drew between 2,000 and 3,000 people to the street and Buckle feels that can happen again.
“It’s good for the whole region. It’s good for the businesses in Corner Brook. And people loved it.
While the festival is being planned by city staff, Buckle said they will be looking for volunteers to help out.
“That’s what makes everything work here in the city.”
Whether or not the festival continues past 2020 will depend on how things go this summer.
Jigs and Wheels Festival schedule
Thursday, July 30
- ATV registration and welcome at the Civic Square
- Downtown ATV parking areas
- Concert in Margaret Bowater Park
Friday, July 31
- Back Country Boil-Up Tour – 6-hour group ride, meal and entertainment
- Blame it on Broadway...Again – the return of the blockbuster street festival
Saturday, Aug. 1
- ATV group rides around the region and even through the city
- West Street Outdoor Expo and Trade Show – the street will be shut down for the day
- Corner Brook Day family events on the Majestic Lawn
- Hiking and culinary experiences
- Street concert on West Street – more great music and a fantastic beer tent
Sunday, Aug. 2
- ATV Parade through the city – trick out your ride and show it off
Source: City of Corner Brook
Weblink: www.jigsandwheelsfestival.com
Twitter: WS_DianeCrocker
