Pipestone Flyer
Two-year-old Griffin "Hi fire trucks!" Steinke enjoys all things with wheels rolling down the street during Warburg's Canada Day parade.
Sunny skies shone on enthusiastic Canada flag-waving parade watchers at the Warburg Canada Day Celebrations on June 23, 2012. The day kicked off with a pancake breakfast served by Village Council and staff and Pioneer Ag Society members.
From the parade route, guests flooded into the Center Village Park to carry on the festivities. At the north end of the park, bouncy castles and free toy fishing ponds entertained the kiddies. The Capital Power Corporation tent featured an environmentally friendly water station where guests could refill their water bottles and enjoy a cupcake. Face painters kept the children busy as adults viewed Hwy 770 Lookout information boards explaining the inner workings of the power plant—how electricity is generated from coal, the Genesee Mine, the cooling pond and reclamation.
Leduc Regional Parent Link Centre featured kids’ toy favor giveaways and crafts. Parents were welcome to various materials including early childhood education.
The nearby Warburg Cultural Centre was open for refreshments and a bit of shade. Onsite concession stands featured fundraisers for the 2013 Grads and Warburg Museum’s famed pie and coffee.
A generous Canadian Heritage Grant made it possible for everyone to have a Canadian flag or Canadian flag pin. Giveaways were also available for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, the War of 1812, National Aboriginal Day and Multiculturalism Day celebrations.
Warburg Ag Society Member and Canada Day Coordinator, Krista Kohl, said she and her husband, Mayor Dawson Kohl, are “really proud of the Village for putting on such a great parade and celebration.” The Kohl’s 12-year-old son, Roman, brainstormed and manned the $1 snow cone concession stand to earn money for the much anticipated 48th Street Park renovation. The park will feature outdoor equipment—a fitness playground for teens and adults.
Other activities included: beach volleyball; shopping at the Warburg Colony tent for yummy baked goods, skillfully handcrafted items, and plants from the green house; viewing a renovated Korean War utility truck; and wetting whistles at the beer garden.
Jade McAmmond opened with a lovely rendition of the National Anthem at the bandstand. Country band enthusiasts enjoyed three bands: Joshua Ridge, Gospel 792, and The Unknown.
The Ride for Cystic Fibrosis motorcyclists passed through Warburg from Acheson on their way to Pigeon Lake (Lakedell hall).
Parade entry winners:
• Vehicles: 1st Place: Charlie Hunter with a 1930 Ford; 2nd Alvin Platz with a 1951 W6-McCormick-International tractor
• Horses and animals: Larry Gitzel
• Professionally built: Leduc County
• Businesses: 1st place: Warburg Hotel, 2nd Buck Mountain Gas Co-op; 3rd U-Haul Small Engine.
In the afternoon and evening, an estimated 2500-3000 people attended the 7th Annual Demo Derby. The results are as follows:
• Barrel racing 1st in minis: Dave Eccleston
• Barrel racing Full size: Steve Nystrom
• Full size cars: Heat 1: Lee Buzsik and Clayton Wheeldon; Heat 2: Derrick Febechko and Chris Campbell; Heat three: Joe Johnson and Steve Nystrom
• Trucks: First: Kris Haavind; Second: Brian Musson
• Minis: First: Shane Cordell; Second: Chris Kolasa; Third: Cameron Kolasa
• Buy back heat winners: Chad Rayne and Dave Mercer
• First overall winners: First place: Clayton Wheeldon; Second place: Steve Nystrom and Joe Johnson
• Farthest Away: Derrick Febechko from Fort McMurray
• Most sportsmanship: Clayton Wheeldon
• Youngest Driver: Lance Rayne
• Only Woman Driver: Jennifer Ay. (last name not available) from Fox Creek.
• Most sportsmanship outside the ring: Apollo Driver Dwayne Lorenz
• Most Aggressive: Brian Musson
• Best Dressed: Travis Deitsch
• Bad Luck Award: Kevin Hill
• Closest: Jerry Olds
Winner of the Mini car Raffle (derby car): Melanie Calvert proceeds to Karlee Williamson’s trust fund.
The night ended with a bang with an impressive fireworks display.