Usually, the last day of the Wings Over the Rockies Festival (which begins May 2 and runs until May 8) is ended with a large gala. This year, however, the ending almost its own separate event.

Everyone is invited to join in on the fun at the Old Time Barn Dance on May 7 at the Invermere Community Centre, starting at 6 p.m. The hall will be decorated for the dance, and there will be refreshments, dinner, a silent auction and a presentation celebrating 15 years of Wings Over the Rockies. Local band L8TE will also be performing live at the dance.

“I think the Wings board felt that the community was ‘gala-ed out’, so we wanted to try something new,” said Jami Scheffer, event co-ordinator for Wings Over the Rockies. “Something more casual, and with live music…we felt that this was better, and it includes everyone. It really can be a stand-alone event.”

Catering for the evening will be done by Anne Riches.

The dinner will be “barn-style”, according to Scheffer. What the hosts have in mind for “barn-style”, though, is a surprise to be enjoyed by dance-goers.

“A lot of people in the community love to dance, and we felt that it was a good fit,” said Scheffer.

Those interested in attending the Old Time Barn Dance must register with Wings Over the Rockies, and spots are filling up fast.

“We’ve already booked up the K2 Ranch tour,” said Scheffer of another new attraction during this year’s festival.

To register for the Old Time Barn Dance, or for other Wings Over the Rockies events, visit www.wingsovertherockies.org or call 250-342-4423 or toll-free at 1-888-342-9464.