The North Western Marquette Festival has been the showcase for fine arts in the area for 80 years! This year, there were 88 dance performances – solos, duos, trios and groups, with piano and vocal held in the beautiful Knox United Church and the dance and choirs in the George. P. Buleziuk Centre with 39 performers in the piano and vocal classes, one violinist, as well as five choirs from Russell Major Pratt School and two choirs from Roblin Elementary School.
The annual festival has always been completely run by the board members and volunteers who emcee the sessions, assist the adjudicators, and greet/assist people at the door. This year they also helped sell 50/50 tickets - a first for the festival. Tickets are still available around town. The festival would not be possible without volunteers, including the sound expertise for choirs and dance performances provided by Mel Nemetchek. The final concert celebrating the medal winners, scholarship recipients and provincial recommendations in dance, vocal, piano and instrumental classes will be held on Sunday, March 22 at 2:00 pm in the George P. Buleziuk Centre. The board is always looking for new and additional members. Their AGM will be held on Monday, June 8 at 7:30 pm in the Brad Room at the Russell Civic Centre.

Get the results on page 7 of this week's Russell Banner.