This year's United Way Communithon is shaping up to be another exciting, 33 hours of entertainment and information on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 24 and 25 at McKenna Hall.

About seven new acts have been attracted to perform during the two-day event.

Entertainment director April Sampson said the Wheatland Line Dancers; the Don Wilkinson Group with their accordions, guitars and old-time music will be there; as well as the Creelman Jug Band.

Communithon is such an important part of this community, said Sampson. "Pretty much the whole town is involved in one way or another."

"A real coup this year is Cherith Alexander, piano-player extraordinaire," she said. She will play ragtime music.

A newly-named rock band called Away From Here, is on the list, as is Quentin Wiebe and Planet Texas.

Long-time favourites like the Octavius Singers, the Weyburn Twirlers, the Aerobics Club, the Rotarians and the Merry Makers, who have been coming to Communithon since it began, said Sampson, will return again this year.

The show will begin Oct. 24 at 8 a.m. with opening ceremonies and school performances from 9-4 p.m. Then the public variety show begins, said Sampson.

During prime time on Friday, the Daae Family from Bromhead will sing gospel music, and tenor Gerald Alexander and the Fawcett family of fiddlers will perform. On Saturday afternoon, Tom Schuck will play piano, Joe Weisgerber and group will entertain. The Knox Brothers will finish off the show at 5 p.m.

A few 10 minute spots are still open during the two days as well as time from 2-6 a.m. on Saturday morning. "We would love to have someone fill that spot," said Sampson.

The Knights of Columbus will cook their usual perogy and sausage meals during the Communithon at McKenna Hall, with proceeds to Communithon.

The goal this year is $110,003, to be divided up amongst the 17 member agencies of the United Way.

Businesses continue to line up fund-raising events in the weeks leading up to the event. Any businesses interested in sponsoring events should call Jerome Sidloski.