The main reason behind the change is becuase Privateer Days was competing with many other events around the province, says chair Brian Fralic.
A major complaint about the last festival was the lack of amusement rides, but Fralic says there was just no way to get them. All were booked for larger events surrounding Canada Day. Though it is not a guarantee of getting rides, Fralic says moving the festival back a week gives them better access to ride companies.
Also because of the Canada Day holiday, it was harder to book marching bands and acts for the entertainment tent. By moving it back a week, there will be less competition to get all the attractions people enjoy.
Being on the Canada Day weekend has also meant competing with vacations and graduations.
"We work hard to bring people in, but half our town is leaving, going on vacation or camping," says Fralic.
Privateer Days has historically been around the Canada Day holiday, but not always falling on that weekend, he says. In the past, it has been everywhere from the third weekend of June to as late as July 8.
Moving Privateer Days back a week also has the added bonus of bringing two weekends of festivities to the community, he says.
The Canada Day committee will be split off from Privateer Days, so they can do their own planning, fundraising and grant proposals. Though the committee will need to be built up, he says they will be speaking with the Region of Queens and Events Liverpool soon to get things started.
"We as a festival want to concentrate on Privateer Days, and have Canada Day be an independent event," says Fralic. "We don't have the resources to do a four day festival, which it would have been with Canada Day."
Plans are well underway for next year's celebrations, and the grant applications have been sent in, he says. There will be more 1812 commemorations next year, as well as the unveiling of the Liverpool Packet model.
Also in the works is a musical version of For Riches and Honour, the privateer themed played written by local Beth George.
Fralic is confident Privateer Days will work well on that weekend. The only concern now is the usual one: will the weather be nice?
