August is always Saskatoon’s busiest month for festivals and other fun events. Here’s a sampling of what’s happening from the first day to the last.

SHAKESPEARE ON THE SASKATCHEWAN – Until Aug. 25

Set in the Roaring Twenties, Hamlet is this year’s mainstage tragedy on the riverbank. Also on the theatrical menu is Done/Undone, Kate Besworth’s funny and introspective work that dives into the mythic bard and explores the hype around the English-speaking world’s most famous playwright. Instead of a Shakespearean comedy per se, SOTS presents JULIET: A Revenge Comedy by Pippa Mackie and Ryan Gladstone. The work asks, what if Juliet did not kill herself? What if she refuses to die for a man she met just two days ago?

AI Shakespeare: Love’s Labour’s Won investigates this mysterious (lost) sequel to Love’s Labour’s Lost and how it might be brought back — and whether it should be — using artificial intelligence. Tickets are available at https:// shakespearesask.com/buy-tickets.

THE FRINGE Aug. 1-10

The Fringe, presented by 25th Street Theatre, returns to the Broadway Avenue area with performers from Saskatoon to Brazil, Toronto to Orlando. The outdoor acts take place on 11th Street East in W.E. Graham Park from 6-9 p.m. on weekdays and noon to 9 p.m. on weekend days, including the holiday Monday. Expect to find carnival games for kids, food trucks, artisan vendors and buskers — and yoga. One hundred and twenty theatre performances by six local, six national, six international and three children’s troupes take place at The Refinery, Broadway Theatre and “The Cosmo” (Seniors’ Centre). “The Fringe is about artists who colour outside the lines,” said Anita Smith, 25th Street’s artistic and executive director. “It’s theatre that pushes boundaries, it’s vibrant, joyful, edgy, and connects us all.” The theatre company also celebrates its 50th anniversary on Aug. 2, with a reunion of artists who have been involved since 25th Street was founded. A Fringe Encore performance of Pointe Tango, which sold out at the festival in 2019, returns for one night, Aug. 11, 7:30 p.m. at the Broadway Theatre.

Other events include The Thelma Pepper Art Walk on Aug. 3 and the Fringe Fun Run Aug. 4. Tickets: https://25thstreettheatre. org/fringe-theatre/

THE EX Aug. 6-11, noon to midnight

From Doukhobor bread to the Midway rides, The Ex brings back the usual flavours, sounds and fun of a Saskatoon summer. At the Grandstand, musical acts include The Beaches on Aug. 6, Amanda Marshall on Aug. 7, Sam Roberts Band on Aug. 8, The Reklaws on Aug. 9, Tom Cochrane on Aug. 10 and the Crash ‘n’ Bash Demolition Derby on Aug. 11. All concerts and shows offer rush seating and as well as premium tickets for $28. https:// www.saskatoonex.com/sasktelgrandstand/. The Kickin’ Horse Saloon also features live music from the TransCanada Highway men (Moe Berg, Chris Murphy, Craig Northey and Steven Page); Sloan; and Kim Mitchell. Shows start after the grandstand events Wednesday through Saturday. Entry 19+ only. For the kids, the Co-op Family Fun Zone in Prairieland Hall E will be home to several acts free with general admission, including SuperDogs, a PAW Patrol Meet and Greet, and Gabby’s Cat-Tastic Dance Party.

General admission to The Ex ranges from $12 for children to $18 for adults; Superpasses are $53 and include a ride wristband for one day.

FOLKFEST Aug. 15-17

The 45th annual Saskatoon Folkfest will again bring the cultures, foods, traditions and histories of the world to our city. There will be 14 pavilions celebrating the anniversary this year including Bangladesh, Chinese, Francophone, German, India, Indian & Métis, Iranian, Nepal, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines and Vietnamese, as well as two new pavilions: the Latino and Nigerian, located at International Place, Prairieland Park. ePassports are available for those 12 and older for $16.50, which grant access to all three days of the festival. Children 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult and can look for the free Children’s Colouring Book Passports at all pavilions.

Pavilions open Aug. 15 and 16 from 5 p.m. to midnight and on Aug. 17 from 3 p.m. to midnight. Visit https://saskatoonfolkfest. com/connecting-communities-2023/ for more information and to book passports.

ROCK THE RIVER Aug. 16-18

The 10th annual three-day hardrocking festival goes for three days at the Bessborough Gardens. On Friday night, gates open at 5 p.m. and the show begins at 6 p.m. with big classic rock acts the Stampeders, Trooper and Nazareth. Doors open at 2:30 on Saturday for a 3:30 start, beginning with The Box, followed by Lighthouse, Harlequin and Foghat. Sunday’s line up, also starting at 3:30, includes Toque, Prism, Aldo Nova and Great White.

Tickets are available at https:// rocktheriversaskatoon.ca/tickets. Day passes are $84 and a three-day pass goes for $237 (plus tax.)

SHOW & SHINE Aug. 18

Rock 102FM’s Show & Shine, the annual vintage vehicle event, will take over downtown Saskatoon from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Organizers expect more than 900 vintage and collector cars, trucks and motorcycles. And it’s free.

UKRAINIAN DAY IN THE PARK Aug. 24

A celebration of Ukrainian culture, this annual free event takes place in Kiwanis Memorial Park. Planned to coincide closely with Ukrainian Independence Day, the event has been running since 2001. Expect stage performances, food vendors, beer gardens, children’s activities and more, starting at 11 a.m. Organizers suggest bringing lawn chairs.

NUTRIEN FIREWORKS FESTIVAL Aug. 30 and 31

Lighting up the skies on the Labour Day Weekend, the Nutrien Fireworks Festival takes place on the riverbank with food, entertainment, and the spectacular display at 9:30 p.m. The fireworks, choreographed to music, are set off from the Broadway Bridge.

– Joanne Paulson