The people of Gretna were able to come together in the community and take part in a weekend of laughter, fun, and food without a hitch at the 2024 Gretna Hot Spot Festival. Grounds was filled with friends and neighbours ready to take part and lean into the theme of the western spirit, either by trying their hand at the wild bucking of the mechanical bulls, or through dressing up in gear harkening back to the old western frontier.  

Gretna Fire Chief Jack Driedger oversaw the dunk tank and said that the festival was “pretty good, it’s great for the young kids, they really enjoy all the rides and activities we have.”  

One of the festival goers, Josephine Klassen who has been going to the festival every year since it started, now brings her kids and said that the Foam Party is their favourite thing, “Oh my goodness they love it, it is wet and wild, they come out sticky it is a blast.”  

Comedian Matt Falk and musician Ed Wayne provided an evening of entertainment and a send-off to the festival, as the night ended with fireworks for the crowd to enjoy.  

Sara Unger, another one of the festival goers shared her thoughts on the community as a whole, “I love it. I love Gretna. We’ve been a part of it for many years... the kids love it, we have friends here, we have family here.” 

It takes more than just a series of activities and events to make a festival work, and Gretna continuously manages to bring life to the Hot Spot year after year.