A return to live performances is being welcomed this year by organizers of the Cathedral Village Arts Festival.

The festival is putting out a call to performers, street vendors and people who want to take part in the Victoria Day parade. The festival’s communications director, Sherri McCormick, talked about who is being invited to apply.

“We’re looking at a lot of different genres of music,” said McCormick. “That will include established solo and full band projects. We’re also inviting a lot of dance groups and theatrical performers, and visual artists. So if you have an instillation you might want to to bring to the festival, we invite your proposal for that.”

Street fair vendors are also being invited to apply soon, but she said they may scale back slightly on the number of vendors with the same amount of space. McCormick said that would make it easier to socially distance.

This year’s theme for the festival is ‘Thanks, Regina’.

“The citizens have stuck with us through a very tough couple of years, and we’re ready to embrace and celebrate all of the people and businesses of Regina,” McCormick said.

She said the festival will be following the provincial health guidelines, whatever they may be by near the end of May.

“We haven’t made any final decisions on anything, but safety is our number one priority,” McCormick said. She said they anticipate there will be safety protocols in place for people attending.

The festival will kick off with a Victoria Day parade. Applications open March 1.