By Steve Hubrecht 

[email protected]

The Mountain Mosaic Festival of the Arts is back after a nearly half-decade hiatus.

The free, fun, family-friendly festival used to be a staple of Canada Day celebrations in the Columbia Valley, right up until the COVID-19 pandemic hit and threw the local arts and culture scene — along with everything else in the world — upside down. 

The past few years have seen most major sports, entertainment and arts and cultural events return to the calendars and this year that includes the Mosaic Festival.

“It’s a celebration of all things arts and culture in the Columbia Valley,” said Columbia Valley Arts Council (CV Arts) board member Patrick Carrick.

The District of Invermere approached CV Arts several months ago and asked if the group could revive the popular festival, so a few members of the nonprofit got their heads together and came up with a plan to bring the event back.

“It’s really exciting. CV Arts has done a good job trying to get things back up and running post pandemic, so to have a tent-pole event like this return is great,” Carrick to the Pioneer. 

“It will be a great and energetic way to celebrate on July 1.”

The festival is set for that Monday from noon to 3 p.m., immediately following the Canada Day parade in downtown Invermere. It will be held at the green space near Pynelogs Cultural Centre. 

If you’re taking in the Canada Day parade, attending the festival couldn’t be easier — once the parade has passed by, you simply and quite literally can follow it along main street (7th Avenue), down to its eventual end at Kinsmen Beach and — presto — you’re right next to Pynelogs and the festival. The event features plenty of games and activities. 

Black Star Studios will be on hand creating a community mural on an enormous canvas, which all are invited to help make. 

There will be face painting, an inflatable carnival, the Columbia Valley Metis Association, an artisan’s market, food trucks, an outdoor art exhibit by Purcell Mountain Painters Gallery, and community drumming with Rhythm by Nature. 

There’s also a full lineup of live music from local bands including Blitzen Coast, Tryg Strand, Oin, and the Second Winds Brass Band.