Although many events are still cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic as most cities and areas had to make decisions regarding Canada Day celebrations in preparation months ago, here are some of the events and activities that are still going on in the County of Wetaskiwin and surrounding areas:
In the City of Wetaskiwin:
Despite there being no Canada Day parade or fireworks show planned for the second year in a row due to the pandemic, there are still some family friendly Canada Day activities still planned.
The Wetaskiwin Royal Canadian Legion will be hosting a pancake breakfast from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. followed by an 11:30 a.m. Canada Day ceremony. In the afternoon the Legion is hosting a hot dog and hamburger BBQ where there will be organized games and activities for the kids in attendance.
The Wetaskiwin & District Heritage Museum is hosting free Canada Day activities, although you must book a timeslot and ticket as only 40 people can be in the building at one time. Activities include a Canada flag hunt, flags of nations hunt, Canadian Mountie plinko drop, pictures with Mylo the museum’s mascot, a prize wheel, kids and adults trivia, colouring sheets and free treats to enjoy.
The second annual Canada Day decorating contest is being hosted by the City of Wetaskiwin again this year, with an application deadline of June 27, 2021 and voting on the top 10 finalists chosen by a panel of judges to run from June 30 to July 7, 2021.
For the contest there will be 10 finalists who will each win $250 and following the community vote on a grand prize winner from the finalists, the grand prize winner will receive an additional $500 in prize money.
In the County of Wetaskiwin:
A bike parade for kids is set for Canada Day at the Village at Pigeon Lake. Kids can come with their decorated bikes and ride in the parade around town square and village lane with the Ma-Me-O Legion and the South Pigeon Lake Firefighters. The event is free to attend with no registration needed.
Surrounding areas:
The City of Leduc has multiple Canada Day activities planned including a travelling outdoor concert series featuring local folk-rock duo, River Poets. The musical act will perform a 20 minute show at five different stops throughout the afternoon. These stops include West Haven School at 1 p.m., Harry Bienert Park at 2 p.m., Elks Soccer Field at 3p.m., Christ the King School at 4 p.m., and Fred Johns Park at 5 p.m.
At 2:15 p.m. the City of Leduc will be pausing for a moment of silence to honour the 215 Indigenous children discovered in a mass grave outside a former residential school in Kamloops B.C.
Leduc will also be putting on a high-flying fireworks display that can be enjoyed from anywhere within the 3 km of the Telford Lake garden plots or from resident’s own homes, which is highly encouraged. Fireworks are scheduled for 11 p.m. to 11:15 p.m.
Although it is not specifically to celebrate Canada Day, the Town of Calmar will have a Midway running from July 1-3, 2021 located in the parking lot of the Mike Karbonik Arena/ Curling Rink. The Midway will run from noon to 11:00 p.m. each day that it is open, with all you can ride wristbands available for $35 a piece.
shaela.dansereau@pipestoneflyer.ca
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