Chicken fans come home to roost

Photos by Art Steinhauer | Manor Ink Mentor

Parksville once again has something to crow about. The fifth annual Parksville B’Kawk Festival arrived in fine feather on Saturday, Aug. 16, and crowds were the biggest yet, taking over a grassy plot on Main Street in the hamlet for an afternoon of fun and frivolity, no eggs-aggeration.

Featured along with vendors of crafts and fine art were an art tent and face painting for kids, and a B’Kawk bar for somewhat older kids. Music included DJ sets by local favorite Guerilla Toss and DJ Neversync, and live performances by Creatures, The Boss’s Wife and headliners the Giraffes. Taking the aural delights to a whole new level were members of the Shinbone Alley Stilt Band who played, yes, on stilts.

Contests included a competition for the best chicken call and once again, youngsters had the b’kawking edge.

Food was provided by Julia’s Market of Mountaindale, Manor’s Van Smokey, Bistro to Go and 876 Jerk from Monroe, all serving various delights involving the festival’s honored bird.

Making a special appearance was the festival’s mascot, Liberty’s eight-foot-high rooster, sporting a fresh coat of paint and a stylish ascot. Fans posed for pictures with the big bird, named “Fred” by B’Kawk organizers