The City of Weyburn tourism department will be involved in a wide-ranging series of activities again this year.

Tourism director Donna Hastings said the city will participate in the provincial Communities in Bloom contest this year, primarily because of the 2004 Saskatchewan Summer Games.

"Our community is already clean and pretty, and this gives us an extra incentive in the summer," said Hastings recently. The city last participated about 10 years ago.

Some of the criteria for the contest involve things like environmental awareness and encouraging young people to contribute to some of the spring clean-up. Since Weyburn already does some of those things, it should take advantage of it, she said.

The city will decorate all of its landscape and flower displays with the Summer Games colours of yellow and green. The Business in Bloom planters will be the same colours and if individuals want to carry on with that theme, it would be great, said Hastings.

Winners of the provincial Communities in Bloom contest go on to a national competition.

Hastings said the city's week to host the Hospitality in the Park at River Park this summer is June 6-12. That coincides with Tourism Awareness Week, said Hastings.

The department is hoping to launch its Crocus Tours CD that week as well, she said.

"We've always had Crocus Tours but we've had a CD produced that takes a visitor through the tour, by car, and gives a history of the buildings so people can do a self-tour."

Hastings said the CD is both interesting and informative.

Her department is also working on a Centennial calendar as part of the city's recognition of the province's 100th birthday, but more will be done on that after the Summer Games, she said..

This year's Wheat Festival, which takes some of the department's time, is the cultural component of the Summer Games. "We're obviously trying to get things geared up for that," said Hastings.

"We know we'll have a large number of people in town, compared to what we're used to, and we will need things like extra people movers."

A gazebo being constructed in River Park, which should be completed by mid-May, will be the outdoor stage for the Wheat Festival this year. It also will be available for use for family reunions and church picnics.

"It will provide a whole new atmosphere down there," she said.

The city will also host the annual May 30 Crocus Spring Festival at the park.

"It's an opportunity to come and make use of the trails in the park and have free hot dogs and door prizes," said Hastings.

"It's four hours of entertainment and we always have a wonderful turnout. There are lots of fun things for kids and families."

The city also will host the annual Canada Day pancake breakfast on Thursday, July 1, and two Hunter Hospitality evenings in October.

"The evenings are very much appreciated by the hunters who come to this area. They're amazed that we give them a free supper."