Music, acrobatics and local flavour at this year's LaSalle Strawberry Festival
Organizers are currently finalizing plans for the festival's 37th year, which has grown into LaSalle's signature summer event.
'The LaSalle Strawberry Festival is a celebration of our town's history and community spirit,' said Mayor Crystal Meloche. 'As our longest-running event, it reflects the heart of LaSalle—where families, friends and visitors come to celebrate summer. From exciting entertainment to tasty local strawberries, there's something for everyone.'
Local businesses, service clubs and community groups are invited to join the LaSalle Strawberry Festival Parade on Saturday, June 7. The 1.5-km route begins at the Turkey Creek Bridge on Front Road and ends at Sacred Heart Drive. Step-off is at 10 a.m. and parade participation is free. Applications are open until May 30 on the LaSalle Strawberry Festival website.
This year's entertainment lineup includes the Canadian performance group Throw 2 Catch, who will bring their high-energy 'Geek Quest' show to the festival grounds. This unique acrobatic performance combines circus-style feats, humour and heart as a quirky team of heroes takes the stage. Audiences can expect synchronized flips, daring stunts and gravity-defying throws in a show designed to entertain all ages.
Live music also takes centre stage with a trio of featured headliners. On Thursday evening, Amherstburg country artist Adam Butcher kicks off the music with a performance known for strong vocals and stage charisma. On Friday night, Windsor's Slim Pickerel Band takes the spotlight with their genre-blending style that mixes rock, folk, country, blues and Motown.
Saturday's featured act is veteran performer Jody Raffoul, a rock singer-songwriter from Leamington known for his soulful voice and working-class anthems. Raffoul has built a loyal following over three decades and has shared the stage with international acts including Bon Jovi, Joe Cocker and The Guess Who. His music blends classic rock and modern edge with a personal, story-driven touch.
Slim Pickerel's four-piece ensemble has deep Essex County roots and a sound shaped by the Great Lakes region. Their music ranges from heartfelt ballads to guitar-driven jams, telling stories grounded in everyday life. Known for high-energy live sets, the band brings a strong local presence to the weekend stage.
Adam Butcher is a rising name in country music, also rooted in Essex County. Known for his authentic style and crowd-pleasing performances, Butcher continues to gain attention as he explores new musical horizons.
Whether you come for the rides, the music or the food, the 2025 LaSalle Strawberry Festival has something for everyone. Visit the festival website closer to the event date for a full schedule of activities, concerts and family attractions.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
5 hours ago
- USA Today
Say what you want about Katy Perry, her Lifetimes tour is great
PHILADELPHIA – If you've been online lately, you've seen the criticism. Katy Perry is a spoiled brat. She is too thin and can't dance. Katy Perry brought a setlist to space and her '143' album is a flop. Can we maybe enlist the "Leave Britney alone!" guy at this point and swap in Perry's name? Seriously, why all the hate? What has Perry done to provoke so much agitation and scorn? So her 'Woman's World' video didn't land with the irony she intended. So she had dinner with the former Canadian prime minister following her breakup with Orlando Bloom. So she toes the line between bold and bizarre. If Perry were the monster so many internet trolls profess her to be, she probably wouldn't be selling out arenas – such as Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia Aug. 9 – on her Lifetimes Tour. And guess what? It's a fun, vibrant show filled with flying apparatus, dancers, oversized flowers, sleek video panels, an AI Perry and plenty of her goofy charm that borders on silly. Are those legit reasons for character assassination? Perry has been loping around the world on this tour for four months. Her Philadelphia stop was the 33rd city on the Lifetimes Tour, with 39 to go before wrapping in Abu Dhabi at the end of the year. It's her first tour since 2018, but it's not as if she's been sitting around flicking petals off daisies in the meantime. Perry bopped through 80 shows in a nearly two-year residency in Las Vegas that ended in 2022. That production, appropriately dubbed Play, featured a rocking horse, dancing tubes of toothpaste and a mammoth toilet bowl. So now she's getting dogged for having a lightsaber duel and hanging upside down inside a metal sphere while singing 'I Kissed a Girl'? Perry's tour hasn't been without its own obstacles. She has sung, smiled and hit her marks on stage while her insides were likely crumbling from her split with Bloom, her fiance of six years and father of her daughter, Daisy. In San Francisco, the butterfly she rides above the crowd during 'Roar' took an unexpected and scary dip with Perry in tow. Call her whatever you want, but the 'show must go on' ethos is strong in this one. Perry has never been a powerhouse singer like Lady Gaga or Kelly Clarkson, nor does she possess seemingly effortless dance moves like Beyoncé. But she's a strong vocalist with a knack for writing anthems that reinforce emotional fortitude. 'Roar' and 'Firework,' yes. But also 'Wide Awake,' coated with a pulsing rhythm from her four-piece band and 'Teary Eyes,' from 2020's 'Smile' album. 'Don't be afraid of your tears – they're trying to heal you!' she yelled after the song, her message amplified by her metal-plated outfit. Perry is also fearless. She floats above the stage – which boasts winding catwalks in the shape of an infinity symbol – during 'Nirvana,' weaves with her dance troupe on metal jungle gyms throughout 'Teenage Dream' and starts the show being pulled upward in the center of a space age platform for 'Artificial.' But along with the sensory assault, Perry's willingness to expose her emotions and her self-deprication are her superpowers. 'I'm going to get vulnerable and sing about my first divorce,' she said before 'Not Like the Movies.' After reminding the crowd that since her last tour she became a mother, Perry quipped, 'Those (out there) 8-years-old and younger ... I am not Dua Lipa. I am Dua Lipa's aunt, Katy Perry.' Curiously, Perry's fan base is predominately tween, the same demographic that flocked to her shows donning kitty ears 20 years ago. Midway through her two-hour concert Saturday, Perry continued her bit of calling a few fans on stage to add some percussion to 'The One That Got Away.' Two of her choices were preteen girls clearly enthralled to be in her warm presence. Exuding big sister vibes, Perry asked about their backgrounds and their career goals, even doing splits on stage next to one, an aspiring gymnast. She doesn't have to engage at this level, her Disney princess eyes wide as she listened to these kids. Nor does she have to grab a fan's phone during the fizzy two-fer of 'Hot N Cold' and 'Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)' and scamper around the stage to take priceless video for them. But she does it because, even at 40, she's connecting with fans of all different backgrounds. Is it arrested development? Perhaps. Or maybe she's just a girl who wants to have fun.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Chappell Roan's hit song 'The Subway' has sparked a tourism boom in Saskatchewan
A Canadian province is experiencing a tourism boost after being named in Chappell Roan's new single. Searches for Saskatchewan, a prairie province, were up after it was featured in "The Subway." The Tourism Saskatchewan CEO said recognition from the famous pop star was "like a gift from heaven." A frequently overlooked Canadian province is seeing a surge in tourism interest thanks to America's favorite Midwest Princess. Chappell Roan, the pop star known for her drag queen-inspired aesthetic, referenced Saskatchewan — known for its sunsets and wheat production — in her latest hit single, "The Subway." On the track, she vows to move to the prairie province in central Canada if she can't get over her heartbreak in New York City. After Roan released the song and the subsequent music video on July 31, not only did Saskatchewan see its first spike in the US Google Trends in two years, but the province's tourism board has since seen around 50,000 interactions with its social media accounts and webpage. "We don't normally get this kind of publicity from an artist that's at the peak of their popularity," Jonathan Potts, CEO of Tourism Saskatchewan, told Business Insider. "This is like a gift from heaven." Potts said that in any given year, about 10% of the province's visitors come from the US, mostly for opportunities to fish, hunt, and stargaze, thanks to the rising demand in astrotourism. "I can see why we could be a cure for heartbreak," Potts added. "We only have a population of around 1.2 million people, we have sunshine and plenty of wide open space, and we have the darkest sky preserve just across the Montana border, free from any sound and light pollution." It's certainly not the first time a pop culture reference has put a tourism destination on the map. Montana and Wyoming experienced a surge in tourism thanks to the popularity of the TV show "Yellowstone," while HBO's "Game of Thrones" caused a tourism boost in Northern Ireland and Croatia, with fans visiting filming locations. Amir Eylon, president and CEO of Longwoods International, a market research consultancy specializing in the travel tourism industry, said music references can have the same effect. "Travel is an emotional thing," Eylon said, adding that if fans "feel a connection to that song or that piece of art, they're going to want to explore that place and see if they can feel that same connection within the destination." Saskatchewan embraces itself as a cure for heartbreak The sudden interest in Saskatchewan comes at a time when the relationship between the US and Canada is strained by the Trump administration's tariffs and the president's repeated comments about making the US's northern neighbor the 51st state of the US. Since March, Canadians have boycotted US-made products and canceled trips to the States in favor of Central American and European destinations. According to Statistics Canada, return flights of Canadian residents from the US saw a 22% decline year-over-year in June, while resident return trips by automobile from the US also fell by 33% in the same month. The decline doesn't seem to be caused by a lack of interest in traveling. In June, Statistics Canada, the national statistical office of Canada, reported a 7% increase in international travel compared to the same month in 2024. If you are an American in need of a cure for heartbreak, or just someone living in Montana and North Dakota seeking a quick escape, Saskatchewan welcomes everyone with open arms, Potts said. Tourism Saskatchewan's page now has a list of travel recommendations based on Chappell Roan songs, ranging from the cheerleader-vibe "HOT TO GO!" for the Mosaic Stadium, to "Red Wine Supernova" for Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, where you are guaranteed a sky full of stars. Eylon said Saskatchewan was smart to capitalize on the moment, calling it a "fun, unique opportunity" to introduce the destination to Americans who may not be familiar with the province. "Travel is transformational," he said. "Showing that Saskatchewan can be a transformational destination for those who are seeking change could be a great vein to tap into with their marketing." If you are visiting Saskatchewan, whether you are a fan of Roan or not, Potts offers the biggest travel tip: dress appropriately for the season. "We're warm, welcoming people, and we are a very diverse place, with very clear seasons," said Potts. "From the biggest skies to the largest collection of Picasso linocuts, we will help you find something fantastic to do." Fans online also drew a connection between Roan's breakout 2023 album, "The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess," to Saskatchewan's similarities with the American Midwest. Apparently, "Midwest Princesses know no borders," as one comment on a Tourism Saskatchewan post read. Read the original article on Business Insider
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Miss Universe Canada faces heat after announcing its 'best body' finalists: 'This category is why people have a problem with pageants'
Some on social media questioned what the category's title meant, wondering if it was judged based on being skinny, muscular or something else. The Miss Universe Canada organization is facing some heat for a category some are saying shouldn't exist in today's world. Ahead of Saturday night's competition, the official Instagram account for the Canadian beauty pageant shared which top three delegates were finalists in its "best body" category. "Celebrating the dedication, discipline and confidence it takes to embody true physical excellence! Congratulations to our top three finalists for the 'Best Body' award," the organization wrote in a post featuring three delegates on the stage wearing swimwear. The caption added the category winner would "advance into the top 26" during the final event on Aug. 9. The three finalists included Malayika Kwizera of Ottawa, Jaime VandenBerg of Lethbridge, Alta., and Valeriia Kalmykova of North York, Ont. However, people on social media weren't too happy to hear that delegates were seemingly being judged on the appearance of their bodies. "These women are beautiful, however 'best body' should absolutely not be a category in 2025," one person commented, to which another replied saying," Biggg time agree. That title felt very '90s." "Best body? WTF does that even mean? Skinniest? Strongest? Healthiest? Bone density? This has nothing to do with women empowerment rn," one person added. "As a former MUC contestant, I have to say this category is why people have a problem with pageants," someone chimed in. "The fact the top three had the smallest frames is so concerning to me. I understand why Siera Bearchell felt let down and 'plus sized' by the organization," one person penned. Some people in the comments showed their support for the category and its finalists. "If these girls work hard to get their physique, then absolutely they should be celebrated. It's not an easy thing to achieve," someone shared. Kalmykova took to her social media account to share her perspective in a video, adding she was happy she was a finalist and understood "it's part of the competition." "But I want to remind you that the best body is the body you feel the best in," she continued. "The body that helps you to enjoy life. All changes happen from inside out. ... Once you learn how to feel your body, what your body needs, you will get your best body and you will feel confident in it." VandenBerg was the eventual winner of the entire Canadian pageant. She was crowned in Windsor, Ont., and will compete in the Miss Universe pageant later on Nov. 21 in Thailand against women from around the world. It's not the first time the Miss Universe Canada pageant has faced backlash regarding a stance that's not entirely body positive. Former Miss Universe Canada Siera Bearchell has been open about being bullied for her weight, especially when she arrived at the Miss Universe pageant in 2017 held in Manila. She recently recalled how "the world called me fat" at the time, expressing how her excitement over being on the world beauty pageant stage was tainted by hurtful comments from people who'd called her things like "Miss Piggy Universe" and "whale." "I was labelled the plus-sized contestant," she wrote in an Instagram post on July 28. "People even accused me of gaining weight on purpose to 'stand out.'" At the time, she said she had "minimal support" from the national team. "I could feel they didn't believe in me, and I started to lose confidence in myself," she added. "Until I remembered that I got to this point because I wasn't afraid to show up as me. I came this far because I knew that beauty and confidence was beyond size. My dream of standing on the Miss Universe stage was achieved because I had more to offer to the world than a number on a scale." Bearchell eventually placed ninth in the global pageant that year. However, she said she spent the days before the event working to repair her confidence so that she could "stand tall" and "proud" on stage. "I quite literally coached myself into having the confidence to step on that stage … even when the world was making memes of me that were making fun of me for not being as thin as the other contestants,' she continued. "I have realized people will doubt you and it's up to you to show up anyways."
