More than 16,000 people attended Thompson’s largest event of the year, Nickel Days, during the last weekend of June. Over the past few decades, Nickel Days has grown to be a major community event, surpassing Winterfest in attendance. The event highlights Thompson’s mining industry and brings people together from all over Canada. The four-day festival is hosted by a non-profit organization and includes traditional fair activities like rides and games, along with the prestigious National King Miner Contest.
In the early 1960s, it was a small summer festival organized by the Rotary Club and included a parade and circus. By 1972, it had evolved into the current Nickel Days with the addition of the National King Miner Competition. Since then, the festival has expanded each year, drawing visitors from across Canada.
The Child Care Centre Thompson hosted a family BBQ on the UCN campus to kick off Nickel Days Fest, aimed at bringing families together and strengthening their connection to the program. Family Engagement Facilitator Jadien Hunt emphasized the importance of these events in supporting parents and fostering a sense of community.
Nickel Days featured a variety of attractions, including a popular midway with rides and treats, stage shows, family games, the Lion’s Club Parade, and concerts by Michelle Wright and Don Walker. The event’s success can be attributed to the hard work and dedication of its large volunteer board which is using the extra money to make the festival bigger with each passing year.
Jenn Thackera, President of Nickel Days, thanked sponsors and volunteers for their crucial contributions to the festival’s success. Nickel Days is a significant event for Thompson and the surrounding community. The parade’s theme, “Connecting the North and Celebrating our Heritage,” captured the spirit of the event and resonated with everyone.
Source: Thompson Citizen